By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has urged party delegates and stakeholders to use Monday’s presidential primary to demonstrate the party’s readiness to offer Nigerians what he described as a credible alternative to failed governance and “recycled politics.”
Speaking at the “MHD for ADC” North Central Townhall in Abuja on Saturday, Hayatu-Deen described the forthcoming primary election as a defining moment not only for the party but also for Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The ADC primary is now only two days away,” he said. “Monday is not merely about selecting a candidate. Monday is about determining whether the ADC is truly serious about rescuing Nigeria and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the failed politics they have endured for too long.”
Positioning himself as a unifying candidate capable of bridging regional, religious and generational divides, Hayatu-Deen argued that his candidacy represents a departure from established political figures.
“I am not on the carousel of the same old faces that Nigerians have seen for decades,” he stated. “I carry no political baggage. I owe no godfathers. What I bring is experience, credibility, integrity, calm leadership, and a practical recovery plan for Nigeria.”
The aspirant highlighted insecurity, unemployment, displacement and economic decline across North Central states, including Benue State, Plateau State, Niger State, Nasarawa State and Kogi State, describing persistent attacks on farming communities as both an economic and humanitarian crisis.
“A nation cannot prosper when the region that feeds it is bleeding,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience growing up in Borno State, where he said his sister was kidnapped and held captive for three years, Hayatu-Deen pledged to prioritize security if elected, insisting that national security must move beyond political rhetoric.
He also unveiled elements of his economic recovery agenda, including job creation initiatives, agro-processing zones, youth employment incentives, women’s empowerment programmes and efforts aimed at boosting productivity in the North Central region.
Addressing recent judicial decisions concerning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hayatu-Deen defended the autonomy of political parties in managing internal democratic processes.
“The High Court was right to affirm that INEC should not dictate the internal democratic processes of political parties,” he said, adding that democratic institutions in Nigeria must become more independent and accountable.
Throughout his address, Hayatu-Deen framed the primary election as a test of the ADC’s credibility and seriousness in the eyes of Nigerians dissatisfied with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Nigerians are watching us carefully,” he warned. “They are waiting to see whether the ADC truly intends to become a serious national alternative or merely another platform for recycled politics.”
The presidential hopeful further cautioned that failure to nominate a broadly acceptable and nationally competitive candidate could result in “four more years of economic hardship, rising insecurity, deepening poverty, and growing hopelessness.”
He concluded with a direct appeal to delegates to support his bid at Monday’s primary.
“And so today, I ask for your support. I ask for your trust. And on Monday, I ask for your vote to carry the flag of our great party as its presidential candidate,” he said.
The North Central Townhall was Hayatu-Deen’s final major engagement with stakeholders ahead of the ADC presidential primary scheduled for Monday.
