Nigerians Are Tired of Old Politics – Hayatu-Deen

A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen (OON), has said Nigerians are tired of old-style politics and are demanding a new approach focused on results, accountability, and national renewal.

Hayatu-Deen stated this on Thursday while addressing newsmen where he also signaled his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s platform, noting that a formal declaration would come later.

He said Nigeria was at a critical crossroads, warning that the country risks further decline if urgent corrective leadership is not provided.

“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. At such moments, nations do not drift; they move forward with momentum. They either choose the noble path of renewal or the easy slide into decline,” he said.

According to him, years of weak governance and poor decision-making have widened the gap between Nigeria’s potential and its present reality, a situation reflected in rising poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship.

He lamented the worsening cost of living, noting that food and fuel prices have made daily survival increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians.

“Food prices continue to rise. Petrol prices continue to climb. For millions of families, the simple act of getting through the day has become a test of endurance rather than a pursuit of opportunity,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen also raised concerns over insecurity, saying many communities now live in fear and uncertainty. He cited recent mass abductions in Borno State, describing them as a painful reminder of the country’s deep security challenges.

“Only this week, Boko Haram took 416 hostages in Borno, my home state. When it cuts this close to home, it reaffirms that every Nigerian life matters,” he said.

He added that in some cases, citizens were forced to pay ransoms for their own safety, describing the situation as a failure of leadership and protection.

The ADC aspirant said Nigerians were now poorer and less secure than they were three years ago, arguing that economic reforms, though necessary, should have been better sequenced to reduce their impact on citizens.

“This is not the Nigeria we were promised. It is not the Nigeria we deserve. And it must not be the Nigeria we accept,” he said, adding that this was why he joined other leaders in the ADC to seek solutions to worsening national challenges.

Hayatu-Deen stressed the need for a new national direction anchored on discipline, clarity, and leadership that prioritises citizens’ welfare.

He said his decades-long experience in both the private and public sectors had prepared him for the task of national leadership, noting that he had led institutions, supported economic reforms, and contributed to job creation initiatives.

“Over the course of more than forty years, I have turned around ailing institutions, restored confidence where it was lost, and helped build systems that delivered results,” he said.

He also said he had supported efforts aimed at expanding access to education for children affected by insecurity.

According to him, leadership is not about titles but responsibility, particularly the responsibility to solve problems and improve lives.

Hayatu-Deen added that Nigerians were tired of repetitive politics marked by broken promises and factional struggles, insisting that citizens now want practical solutions.

“Nigerians are tired of the same old politics, where promises are made loudly and broken quietly,” he said.

He called for leadership that unites Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, adding that his experience positions him to contribute meaningfully to the ADC and the country’s future.