Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to end insecurity in Nigeria within...
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 pledge in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, where he discussed insecurity, regional cooperation, the 2027 elections, fuel subsidy and other national issues.
The former Vice President said his administration would recruit additional security personnel, provide them with the necessary equipment and ensure adequate funding to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
He also said his government would create opportunities for young Nigerians by supporting them to establish businesses, arguing that unemployment had contributed to youth involvement in criminal activities.
“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.
“We will take these measures and, within a year, we will end insecurity, God willing,” Atiku said.
The ADC candidate also proposed stronger regional military cooperation through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying he would engage leaders of member countries on reviving the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
According to him, greater cooperation among the military forces of ECOWAS member states, including Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia, would help strengthen efforts to restore peace and security in 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, including Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia, to ensure peace,” he said.
“We will join forces, strengthen collaboration and work together to restore peace.”
On Nigeria’s relationship with Niger Republic following the military takeover in the neighbouring country, Atiku said the change of government should not affect the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
He argued that Nigeria should maintain its bilateral relations with Niger and work towards bringing Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali back into ECOWAS.
“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.
“The fact that the military has taken over the government in Niger should not be a reason for Nigeria to cut ties with the country or support its exclusion from ECOWAS.”
Atiku said restoring the three countries to the regional bloc would help create a united front and could also contribute to reducing unemployment across the region.
On the 2027 general elections, the former Vice President expressed scepticism about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections.
He, however, 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,” Atiku said.
“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.”
Atiku also disclosed that the 2027 presidential election would be his final attempt at seeking the presidency.
He said he would remain available to advise younger politicians if the election did not go in his favour.
On his pledge to restore fuel subsidy, Atiku said removing the subsidy entirely at once was unwise, stressing that his administration would assess the situation and consult relevant stakeholders before taking a decision.
He said the level of hardship currently experienced by Nigerians was unprecedented in his personal experience.
“In my 79 years, and approaching 80 now, I have never experienced a level of hardship that Nigerians are currently experiencing. I don’t need to consult with anyone before pledging that I will restore the subsidy. I have seen the situation of the people,” he said.
Atiku accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of removing the subsidy at once and in a manner that, according to him, caused severe hardship for Nigerians.
He also said the impact of the policy had affected his farming business.
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