Former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, joining other frontline aspirants including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi.
His entry further heightens internal competition within the ADC, which has increasingly positioned itself as a key opposition platform ahead of the next general elections, while also testing the party’s ability to manage unity among its high-profile aspirants.
In a statement announcing his ambition, Hayatu-Deen said his decision was informed by what he described as worsening economic hardship and governance challenges confronting Nigerians.
He said the country was in urgent need of a leadership reset, insisting that current realities no longer reflected the nation’s potential.
According to him, rising inflation, increasing cost of living and insecurity have left many citizens struggling to meet basic needs.
He also expressed concern over the state of security, arguing that national priorities had shifted away from protecting lives and property.
Hayatu-Deen further criticised what he described as the widening gap between government policies and the lived experiences of Nigerians, saying the response to economic and security challenges had been inadequate.
Positioning himself as an alternative, the former NESG chairman said his focus would be on economic stabilisation, strengthening national security, and rebuilding public trust in governance, drawing on decades of professional experience.
He described the kind of leadership he intends to offer as calm, structured and reform-driven, capable of addressing systemic challenges and creating opportunities for citizens.
Hayatu-Deen also stressed the importance of unity within the ADC, warning that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s performance in 2027.
He called on party members to remain focused on presenting a credible alternative to Nigerians, saying the opportunity before the ADC should not be squandered.
His declaration adds another layer to what is shaping up as a highly competitive race within the opposition party, as aspirants position themselves for the ADC’s presidential ticket ahead of the elections.
