Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has committed to reinstating Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should he win the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections. Atiku, who is the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made this declaration during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he also critiqued the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku highlighted the need for a shift in Nigeria and ECOWAS's approach towards the three Sahel nations, which have faced isolation following military coups. He emphasized that these countries should not have been excluded from ECOWAS due to their political upheavals. "I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace," he stated, referring to the regional peacekeeping force.

The former Vice-President attributed the deterioration of relations between ECOWAS and these nations to the stance taken by President Tinubu during his tenure as chairman of the regional bloc at the time of Niger's military takeover in 2023. He argued against the rationale for Nigeria to cease engagement with Niger, asserting, "Niger and Nigeria are one people. Just because the military took over power does not mean Niger should be expelled from ECOWAS."

In the wake of the military coups, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS after the bloc threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order. They subsequently formed the Alliance of Sahel States as a countermeasure.

In addition to his plans for regional cooperation, Atiku pledged to address Nigeria's escalating security challenges within his first year in office. He proposed increasing the number of security personnel and providing them with better equipment while also creating job opportunities for the youth. Atiku stated, "We believe that within one year, God willing, we will address these problems."

The candidate also criticized the recent removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, claiming it has exacerbated the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians. He acknowledged that while subsidy reforms might be necessary, they should be implemented gradually and only after adequate measures are taken to alleviate the burden on the most vulnerable citizens. "People are suffering; there is poverty and unemployment. The removal of the fuel subsidy is the major cause of this," he remarked.

Atiku's political journey has seen him contest for the presidency five times prior, with his most recent attempts in 2019 and 2023 resulting in defeats. He previously served as Vice-President from 1999 to 2007 and was a key figure in the establishment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As the 2027 elections approach, he is poised to challenge President Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in office.