The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to reopen Nigeria’s borders and restore the longstanding bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the neighbouring African countries, if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
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‎Atiku made the pledge while officially flagging off his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, in a colourful event that drew thousands of supporters, party leaders, and stakeholders from across the North-West and beyond.
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‎*Bashir Ibrahim Nababa reports* that the ADC standard bearer said the continued closure of Nigeria’s land borders has done more harm than good to the economy, especially to traders, farmers, and communities living along the border corridors.
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‎According to him, Nigeria cannot claim to be the giant of Africa while shutting its doors against its neighbours.
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‎”Our borders were closed in the name of protecting local industries, but what we got was higher food prices, smuggling, job losses and broken relationships with our brothers in Niger, Chad, Benin and Cameroon,” Atiku said.
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‎He promised that under his administration, the borders will be reopened in an organised and secured manner, with modern technology, joint patrols, and proper customs reforms to stop smuggling without punishing legitimate traders.
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‎Atiku also pledged to rebuild Nigeria’s diplomatic standing in West Africa and restore the trust that once made Nigeria the natural leader of ECOWAS.
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‎He noted that Sokoto, as a historic gateway to Niger Republic and a centre of commerce, scholarship and diplomacy, was the right place to make the promise, stressing that the people of Sokoto and the entire North understand better than anyone the pain of border closure.
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‎”The relationship between Nigeria and Niger is not just diplomacy, it is blood, it is trade, it is family, it is religion. We will restore it,” he added.
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‎The former Vice President further assured Nigerians that his economic plan will focus on job creation, food security, security, and restoring investor confidence, adding that reopening the borders is part of a broader plan to revive cross-border trade and reduce the cost of food.
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‎Party leaders who spoke at the flag-off described Atiku as the most experienced candidate in the race, and urged Nigerians to give the ADC a chance to rescue the country from hardship.
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‎The Sokoto flag-off signals the formal commencement of Atiku’s nationwide campaign tour ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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2027: Atiku Storms Sokoto, Flags Off ADC Campaign, Vows To Reopen Nigeria’s Borders
