The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to end insecurity in Nigeria within one year if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the promise during a recent interview with BBC Hausa, where he discussed his plans for the country and addressed issues including insecurity, unemployment, fuel subsidy and regional cooperation.
The former Vice President said his administration would recruit more security personnel, provide them with the necessary equipment and increase funding for security operations.
He also linked insecurity to unemployment among young Nigerians, promising to provide adequate support for youths to establish businesses and become economically productive.
“I will not take more than one year to end it. We will recruit additional security personnel and provide them with the necessary equipment. We will also provide adequate funding to support youths to establish businesses because many of them are involved in criminal activities due to lack of employment,” Atiku said.
“We will take these measures and, within a year, we will end insecurity, God willing.”
The ADC candidate also proposed greater regional military cooperation among West African countries as part of his strategy for tackling insecurity.
According to him, he would engage leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the possibility of reviving the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to strengthen cooperation among regional military forces.
Atiku said Nigeria could work with countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia to improve security across the region.
“We will engage our colleagues and ECOWAS leaders because I believe that if we unite, we can revive ECOMOG and create greater synergy among the military forces of member countries,” he said.
He also called for improved relations between Nigeria and Niger Republic, arguing that the military takeover in Niger should not permanently damage the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Atiku said Nigeria should not cut diplomatic ties with Niger or support its exclusion from ECOWAS because of the military government in the neighbouring country.
“I see no reason why Nigeria should cease its bilateral relations with Niger Republic simply because of the military takeover. What have we got to do with it? Nigeria and Niger are one. We are the same people,” he said.
He further pledged to work towards bringing Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali back into ECOWAS, arguing that a united regional bloc would strengthen security and help tackle unemployment.
On the 2027 elections, Atiku expressed doubts about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election.
He nevertheless urged Nigerians to participate actively in the election and protect their votes.
“INEC will not do the right thing because it is this government that brought them. But what I want to tell Nigerians is that they should come out and vote. They should ensure that their votes count, protect their votes and make sure that the person they vote for is the person who is eventually declared the winner,” he said.
Atiku also disclosed that the 2027 presidential election would be his final attempt at seeking the presidency.
He said that should the election not go in his favour, he would remain available to provide guidance and advice to younger politicians.
The former Vice President also defended his proposal to restore fuel subsidy, arguing that its removal should not have been carried out abruptly.
He said an Atiku administration would assess the economic situation and consult relevant stakeholders before deciding on the appropriate approach to fuel subsidy.
Atiku, who is 79, said the level of economic hardship currently experienced by Nigerians was unprecedented in his lifetime.
“In my 79 years (and approaching 80 now), I have never experienced a level of hardship that Nigerians are currently experiencing,” he said.
He accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of removing the fuel subsidy abruptly, saying the policy had placed additional pressure on Nigerians and affected businesses, including his farming activities.
Atiku’s latest comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with opposition figures and the Federal Government increasingly divided over the country’s economic policies, security situation and the direction of governance.