Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised Nigerians that his administration would significantly contain the country’s worsening insecurity within one year if elected president.

Atiku, who made the pledge in an interview with the BBC, said Nigeria’s security architecture was seriously under-resourced, arguing that the country did not have enough personnel or adequate equipment to effectively confront insurgency and other security threats.

He said his administration would prioritise substantial investment in the police and armed forces, insisting that strengthening the country’s security institutions was necessary to restore peace and protect citizens.

“I believe within one year, they should be able to see that, and believe me within one year, we can control this insurgency and insecurity that is all over the place,” Atiku said.

He also defended his controversial position on the removal of fuel subsidy, saying his proposal to restore the subsidy was informed by consultations with economists and other experts who concluded that ordinary Nigerians had not benefited from the savings generated by its removal.

According to him, the removal of subsidy had instead pushed more Nigerians into poverty, while the government’s claim of increased revenue had not translated into improved living conditions for citizens.

“We have not seen the impact on any aspect of our economic life. Today, we are poorer than we were before,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s poverty, unemployment, debt and insecurity had all worsened.

Atiku challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate how the additional revenues generated from subsidy removal had been deployed to improve the welfare and security of Nigerians.

“If you have made so much money, have you invested the money in the welfare of the people, in their well-being, in their security? Absolutely not,” he said.

Asked about the possible consequences of restoring fuel subsidy for the oil and gas industry, Atiku said the details would be developed by his policy team, suggesting that the broader framework would be determined after wider policy consideration.

On the opposition’s failure so far to achieve a complete political alliance ahead of the election, Atiku dismissed concerns that the divisions would permanently undermine the opposition’s chances.

“We are still talking to ourselves. It’s an issue of strategy. Don’t worry, we’ll come together,” he said.

The former vice president also pushed back against concerns over his age and capacity to govern, describing such criticism as unfair and maintaining that he remained physically strong and healthy.

The exchange became contentious when Atiku referred to President Bola Tinubu as being 90 years old. The BBC interviewer challenged the claim, pointing out that the President was not yet 90 and that his exact age could not be independently confirmed from the information discussed. Atiku nevertheless maintained that he had evidence to support his assertion.

Atiku’s comments come as opposition forces intensify efforts to build a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with insecurity, the cost of living, fuel pricing and the performance of the economy expected to remain major issues in the campaign.