I’ll Support ADC Even If I Lose Presidential Ticket – Hayatu-Deen

Presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, Muhammed Hayatu-Deen, in this Interview with ADEMU IDAKWO, speaks on the 2027 elections, zoning, the economy, insecurity and his ambition to lead Nigeria

You are going into a primary against political heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi. Why should delegates of the African Democratic Congress choose you over them?

I have been assured of a transparent process, and I strongly believe in the leadership of our party under the guidance of Senator David Mark.

I am confident that the primary election will be conducted peacefully, fairly and without rancour.

So far, I have been impressed with the process, from purchasing the nomination form to this moment. Since I joined the party last year, I have not experienced any disappointment.

Despite the challenges and obstacles placed before the party, we were still able to conduct our convention successfully.

We have also overcome the legal traps set by our political adversaries because we remain united as one body with a common purpose.

Given the limited time before the elections, the party may even decide to adopt a consensus process rather than a direct primary.

Whichever method is eventually adopted, I remain hopeful and optimistic that I will emerge as the party’s flagbearer. Senator David Mark is a highly disciplined leader who believes strongly in due process and internal democracy.

I also have absolute confidence in the National Working Committee of our great party. I believe justice will prevail, and the process will be handled transparently without bitterness, acrimony or division.

What if you are not chosen at the end of the process? Will you leave the party?

No, I will not leave the party. Let me tell you, it took me a long time to reflect and consult before I decided on the next political platform through which I would advance my political career.

I eventually settled on the ADC after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party because I carefully studied the party’s manifesto and found it perfectly aligned with my vision and aspirations for Nigeria.

Therefore, if I am not fortunate enough to secure the presidential ticket this time around, I will wholeheartedly support whoever emerges as the candidate. We must work together as a united team to ensure the party’s total victory in 2027.

As I have always maintained, there is no justification for abandoning a political party simply because one failed to secure a ticket or is afraid of losing in the primary election.

If you genuinely love your country, you can serve the people in any capacity. You do not necessarily have to become President before you can contribute meaningfully to national development.

I left the People’s Democratic Party because I no longer saw any future there. The party was weakened by internal crises, excessive monetisation of politics and the selfish interests of certain leaders.

From my background in the private sector as a banker and economist, I have contributed significantly to the development of the real sector of the economy.

One of my biggest regrets is that many professionals and technocrats in the corporate world refused to participate actively in politics and governance.

Many of us arrogantly distanced ourselves from politics, and that was a monumental mistake, because Nigeria would not have deteriorated to this level if competent people had actively participated in governance much earlier.

I have therefore resolved that, even if I lose the presidential ticket in either the primary election or the consensus arrangement, I will still work tirelessly for the victory of the ADC in 2027.

The party is still encircled by legal crises. Don’t you think that could threaten the overall success of the party in 2027?

We will certainly be on the ballot, and by the grace of God, we will win elections from the states to the national level. Crises are part of the normal democratic process.

We have already overcome much bigger hurdles in the past. Compared to those challenges, the current issues are relatively minor and cannot threaten the party’s future, as far as I am concerned.

The fear that the ADC may not participate in the 2027 general election should be completely dismissed. Our position has already been positively affirmed by the highest court in the land, and we are confident moving forward.

The party remains focused, determined, and united despite distractions from opponents who are uncomfortable with the ADC’s growing strength nationwide.

As a northern candidate, how do you respond to Nigerians who believe power should remain in the South in 2027?

I see that argument largely as an elite-driven agenda deliberately designed to divide Nigerians along ethnic and regional lines, rather than focusing on the country’s worsening economic crisis and governance challenges.

Nigeria’s current condition demands an urgent economic rescue, visionary leadership, and practical solutions rather than endless debates over zoning and ethnic considerations.

Ordinary Nigerians are more concerned about hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of living than about which region will produce the next president.

Unfortunately, political elites have continued to weaponise ethnicity and zoning as distractions to prevent citizens from demanding accountability, competence and quality leadership.

Nigeria today resembles a pregnant woman suffering from severe blood shortage and struggling for survival. In such a critical situation, do you allow the patient to die because of protocol, or do you urgently seek immediate solutions to save her life?

Ethnic politics is largely an elite game designed to divert the people’s attention from demanding value-driven leadership and genuine development. If I may ask, what exactly does good leadership have to do with zoning?

I have consistently maintained that what Nigeria urgently requires is a competent leader with proven character, economic expertise and the political intelligence necessary to rebuild the economy and improve the lives of citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion or region.

My experience in banking, investment, and economic management positions me well to tackle Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.

My appeal to members of the ADC is for all stakeholders to build bridges across regions and interests, irrespective of where the presidential flagbearer ultimately emerges. The ultimate objective should be to secure victory for the party and return Nigeria to the path of prosperity, growth and national unity.

This country has remained stagnant for too long due to poor governance, weak leadership, and administrative failures. We must therefore prioritise competence and capacity over endless North-South power struggle debates if we truly desire national progress.

Nigeria is facing severe economic hardship. What would be your first three economic actions if elected President?

Upon assuming office as President of this great country, the first thing I will do is initiate a national reorientation programme. Nigerians must be taught self-awareness, patriotism, discipline and value reorientation.

Secondly, my administration will aggressively create employment opportunities for millions of unemployed youths across the country. We will also establish accessible microcredit schemes for women and small-scale traders to enable them to engage in sustainable businesses and improve their standard of living.

Thirdly, I will overhaul the Nigerian workforce through continuous training and retraining programmes aimed at improving productivity, efficiency and professionalism across both the public and private sectors.

Salaries and wages will also be reviewed in line with international best practices and labour standards to ensure that Nigerian workers earn dignified and sustainable incomes.

Agriculture will equally remain one of our top priorities. We will provide modern farming implements, improved seedlings, mechanised support, and incentives to farmers across the country to boost food production and reduce inflation.

Let me also remind Nigerians that I have served on three Presidential Advisory Committees under the administrations of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

Many of the economic ideas and recommendations we presented at those periods were unfortunately not fully implemented, though the reasons are best known to those administrations.

If elected President, I will implement several tested economic ideas and reforms that have already succeeded in stronger economies around the world to revive and stabilise Nigeria’s economy.

Kidnapping, banditry and insurgency remain major threats across the country. What specific security strategy would your administration adopt differently?

Part of our security agenda will involve the establishment of special terrorism courts as well as a complete overhaul of intelligence coordination among security agencies to strengthen the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Nigeria’s economic hardship and insecurity are deeply interconnected. Persistent violence across farming communities and commercial centres has worsened poverty, food inflation, displacement and unemployment across the country.

It will require decisive, courageous and competent leadership to pull Nigeria out of its current crisis and restore hope to millions of struggling citizens.

Our approach to security will be deliberate, coordinated and intentional. We will ensure that every obstacle standing in the way of eliminating insecurity is completely dismantled.

We will also prioritise intelligence gathering, modern technology, community policing, improved welfare for security personnel and stronger collaboration between federal, state and local authorities.

No country can achieve sustainable economic growth in an atmosphere of fear and instability. Therefore, restoring security across every part of Nigeria will remain one of the cardinal priorities of my administration if elected President in 2027.