2027: Mohammed Hayatu-Deen calls for competent, unifying leadership in Nigeria

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, has said Nigeria needs a competent and unifying leader to address the nation’s worsening economic and security challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms for the ADC presidential primary, Hayatu-Deen stressed that the country can no longer tolerate divisive leadership, insisting that competence and national unity should shape the next presidency.

He said, “What is required here is competence and distinction in terms of one’s ability to provide leadership to every single individual in this country. The 230m people deserve a leader who is a unifier, not a divider. One who is very competent, who understands this country, its opportunities and problems, and who also understands what the world is all about and Nigeria’s place in it.”

The former banker and economist expressed concern over the country’s worsening socio-economic conditions, noting that his campaign would focus on tackling insecurity, inflation, poverty and the rising cost of living.

“We face enormous problems in this country, pertaining to high inflation, the cost of living, hunger, poverty and disease. Children are out of school, health facilities are dilapidated, and we have at hand an enormous amount of insecurity.

“If I’m lucky to get the nomination and go on to contest this election, I’ll be waging a campaign that is focused on alleviating poverty, eliminating insecurity in this country, reducing the cost of living, putting our children back to school, and giving our people prosperity.

“I will provide a world where the people can live comfortably, and we will raise the quality of life for all Nigerians,” he added.

Hayatu-Deen also urged Nigerians to place leadership quality above ethnic or regional sentiments when choosing the country’s next president.

“Competence is exceptional at this point in time, because anybody who is going for the office of president is actually going as a quintessential Nigerian.

“It is not because I come from Borno or from Imo or Anambra. Once you put your hands on the Quran or the Bible, you’re actually taking an oath to work for the Nigerian people, wherever they come from, regardless of background,” he stressed.

He further pledged to run an issue-based campaign centred on solving Nigeria’s pressing challenges.