“Another lie, manipulation,” Presidency tackles Atiku over borders’ closure claim

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The presidency has faulted claims by the African Democratic Congress, ADC candidate for 2027 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the closure of Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries, especially in the Northern party of the country.

Atiku had in a widely reported interview broadcast by the BBC early Friday indicated that he would open throw open Nigerian borders with neighboring countries if elected as president in 2027.

The former Vice President noted that several northern states share borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, thus cross-border trade is an important component of the region’s economy.

But he claimed the closure of the borders by the government had led to collapse of legitimate businesses in the Northern part of the country.

“All our young men who are doing trading in between these countries, they carry goods here across, they do this, and all the what we call trans-border trade is a legitimate business,” Atiku said.

“All the upcoming young men and women who used to have a capital of 10 million, 20 million, and they were employing two, three other people, and then all of them went bankrupt and unemployed,” he said.

“How can there be no insecurity? So, I said, I’m going to reopen the borders,” Atiku added.

However, Sunday Dare, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication accused the ADC presidential candidate of lying about the promise to throw the borders open.

“It’s a lie. Our borders are open. Nigeria’s major land and air borders with neighboring countries like Niger and Benin Republic are officially open for legal trade,” Dare said while accusing Atiku of manipulation.

He, however, acknowledged that Nigeria’s borders with Niger and Benin Republic are closed to illegal trade with a jibe at Atiku on his possible involvement in illegal activities.

“Perhaps, Atiku is involved in this other trade. That may require further interrogation. Apart from the two major borders, President Tinubu has opened other vital borders,” the presidential adviser said.

While backing up his claims, Dare noted that President Bola Tinubu had last February opened one of the most lucrative and important northern borders routes – Kamba and Tsamiya.

He said he had then written that the opening of the border reflected a balanced and pragmatic approach to governance that recognised the link between economic inclusion, regional diplomacy, and national security”.

“The recent opening of the Kamba and Tsamiya border routes by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is both timely and strategic. The livelihoods of northern communities that straddle the Nigeria–Niger border have been significantly revived. Nigeria–Niger relations have been strengthened, and commercial activities, particularly the automobile, transport, and logistics business across both sides of the border, are back in full swing.

“Beyond these immediate gains, the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya corridors has restored economic life to communities that depend almost entirely on cross-border movement for trade, agriculture, transportation, and small-scale commerce. 

“For many families in these border areas, this decision has translated into renewed income opportunities, reopened markets, and a return to lawful economic activities after a prolonged period of restriction.

“The positive impact is already evident across border towns and transit corridors, where traders, transport unions, artisans, and logistics operators have resumed operations,” Dare said in the excerpts from the article.