By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has pledged to accept any mode of primary election adopted by the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Hayatu-Deen stated this on Wednesday at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, after appearing before the ADC presidential screening committee, chaired by former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, with C.I.D. Maduabum serving as secretary.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the economist and former banker described the screening as seamless, saying he spent about one hour before the panel.
“I was here to undergo a presidential screening exercise on behalf of the African Democratic Congress. I spent approximately one hour in the room and it went very well,” Hayatu-Deen said.
He noted that having submitted his nomination forms earlier, the screening represented another significant stage in the party’s process toward selecting its presidential candidate.
“We are now at a very pivotal moment in the campaign process. We will either undergo a consensus exercise or go into direct primaries within the short period of time available. I stand ready, able, and willing to go through that process,” he said.
The presidential hopeful pledged that if elected as the party’s nominee and eventually president, his campaign would focus on addressing insecurity, unemployment, the rising cost of living, weak infrastructure, and declining education and healthcare systems.
“I would like to pledge to Nigerians that I will wage a campaign that is disciplined, focused, and geared toward meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians at a very difficult moment in the nation’s history,” he said.
Responding to questions on the duration of the screening, Hayatu-Deen dismissed suggestions of complications, explaining that extensive documentation had to be reviewed and verified by members of the committee.
“One hour is perfectly okay as far as I’m concerned. Loads and loads of documents were requested from us, and each of these documents needed to be verified,” he explained.
According to him, panel members also asked questions bordering on party ideology, the constitution, manifesto and governance issues, although he declined to disclose details.
Asked whether he would accept a consensus arrangement if adopted by the party, Hayatu-Deen said loyalty to party rules remained paramount.
“As a loyal party member, I have signed the code of ethics. Whatever mode of primaries the party decides to conduct, I have to abide by it, and I subscribe to it,” he said.
However, he declined to answer directly whether he would step down if requested by the party leadership, describing such discussions as internal matters.
On his chances in the event of direct primaries, Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence.
“I’ve been prepared for this for quite some time. I’m confident that I’m going to win, period,” he said.
The aspirant also promised to assemble a government driven by competence if elected president, stressing that appointments would be based on merit rather than political considerations.
“There is no shortage of talent in this country. I’m going to put the best and the brightest from all parts of Nigeria into positions where square pegs fit square holes,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen added that his administration would draw expertise from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to drive governance and improve national development.
The aspirant will be facing the primary election with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
