moRGANABLE politics/policy
The Presidency drew a clear distinction between open borders and uncontrolled borders, emphasising that modern border governance requires a balance between facilitating legitimate economic activities and safeguarding national security.
KaNo—
The Presidency on Friday dismissed claims by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, that he would open Nigeria’s borders if elected, insisting that the country’s land borders are already open and functioning under regulated conditions.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the Federal Government described Atiku’s campaign pledge as misleading and lacking in factual basis.
The statement, titled “Atiku and the Borders: Nigerians Deserve Facts, Not Campaign Slogans,” argued that the former Vice President’s comments failed to reflect the current reality of Nigeria’s border policy.
Dare stated that the Federal Government had officially reopened most of the country’s land borders on March 14, 2024, and had not reversed that decision.
According to him, it was unclear what the former Vice President intended to reopen when the borders were already operational.
“The facts are straightforward: Nigeria’s land borders are already open. It is therefore difficult to understand which borders the former Vice President intends to open,” he said.
Nigerian Borders Open
The presidential aide further noted that President Bola Tinubu had personally reopened the Kamba border in Kebbi State on February 14, 2026, describing the move as one that yielded economic and diplomatic benefits by boosting cross-border trade and strengthening regional cooperation.
He challenged Atiku to clarify whether his campaign promise referred to the removal of existing border controls, stressing that Nigerians deserved detailed policy explanations rather than broad political slogans.
“If he means he would relax existing border controls, then Nigerians deserve to know precisely which controls he intends to remove, why he considers their removal necessary, and what safeguards his administration would deploy against terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational organised crime,” Dare stated.
The Presidency drew a clear distinction between open borders and uncontrolled borders, emphasising that modern border governance requires a balance between facilitating legitimate economic activities and safeguarding national security.
“An open border is not an uncontrolled border. Effective border management combines immigration control, customs administration, intelligence-sharing, surveillance, technology, and coordinated security operations,” Dare explained.
Porous Borders Fuelling Insecurity
According to him, porous borders have historically enabled the movement of criminal networks and extremist groups across countries in the region.
“Approximately 41 per cent of terrorist attacks occur within 50 kilometres of an international border, while about 64 per cent occur within 100 kilometres. Borderlands are particularly vulnerable where difficult terrain, limited state presence, and weak coordination create opportunities for terrorist organisations,” he said.
The Presidency also dismissed the notion that increased security deployment in parts of the country indicated that borders were closed.
It argued that such measures were necessary to address evolving security threats, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
“As domestic insurgencies evolve into increasingly networked and transnational threats, effective border management becomes indispensable. Security deployment across key corridors reflects responsible governance, not border closure,” Dare added.
He further criticised Atiku Abubakar, stating that as a former Vice President, he should understand the complexities of border management and the implications of policy statements on national security.
“What Nigerians should expect from a presidential aspirant is not a slogan about ‘opening borders,’ but a clear and detailed plan on how to strengthen border surveillance, enhance intelligence-sharing, modernise customs and immigration systems, deploy technology, and protect border communities,” he said.
Presidency Accuses Atiku Of Rebranding Implemented Policies
The statement also questioned the originality and substance of Atiku’s broader campaign proposals, suggesting that many of his ideas appeared to revolve around reversing or rebranding policies already implemented by the current administration.
“Rather than presenting a coherent alternative, the former Vice President appears increasingly focused on promising to reverse, reopen, or rename existing initiatives,” Dare said.
He maintained that while the Tinubu administration welcomed scrutiny, such engagement must be based on verifiable facts and informed debate.
“Nigeria’s borders must be open to legitimate commerce and movement, but secure against terrorists and criminals. They must be monitored with technology, guided by intelligence, and integrated into the country’s broader national security and economic strategy,” the statement concluded.
Gov Committed To Securing Tinubu’s Victory
Meanwhile, in a related political development, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have pledged their commitment to securing the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, disclosed this after a meeting between the President and APC governors in Abuja.
Uzodinma stated that the responsibility for delivering electoral victory rested largely on governors at the subnational level, noting that they were best positioned to mobilise support within their respective states.
“What we have agreed with Mr President is that he will be delivered. All APC governors are solidly behind him. Governors understand their states and know what is required to ensure successful campaigns,” he said.
“The responsibility of delivering the election lies with governors at the subnational level, working in synergy with national leadership. This combination will produce the results we are aiming for,” Uzodinma added.
Political observers say the exchange between the Presidency and Atiku, alongside the show of support from APC governors, signals the early intensification of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With issues such as border security, economic reforms, and national stability taking centre stage, analysts note that candidates will be expected to present clear and detailed policy frameworks as the electoral contest gains momentum.
