ADC Vanguard@ADCVanguard_
2027: Hayatu-Deen Enters ADC Presidential Race, Promises Unity, Security, and Economic Reset
Renowned economist, banker, Chief Executive, and 2022 presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has declared his intention to contest for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, positioning himself as a steady hand to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges.
Speaking on Arise Television with Charles Aniagolu, Hayatu-Deen said the moment calls for leadership that understands the pain Nigerians are feeling daily and has the experience to fix it.
He pointed to the rising cost of living, noting that “food prices keep going up, petrol prices keep rising, and for many Nigerians, just getting through the day has become a struggle.” He also raised concerns about worsening insecurity, stating that the country now spends more on ransoms than on properly equipping its security forces, while the Naira continues to weaken against other African currencies.
“This is not the Nigeria we deserve. It is time to change course, and that is why I am stepping forward to seek the ADC presidential ticket.”
Hayatu-Deen criticised what he described as a disconnect between the government and ordinary Nigerians, saying that while families and businesses are under pressure, those in power have failed to respond with urgency.
“For too long, this government has looked away while Nigerians bear the burden of bad policies and rising insecurity,” he said. “We cannot continue like this.”
He pledged to present a practical and credible alternative, focused on stabilising the economy, restoring security, and rebuilding trust in public institutions.
“Nigeria needs a calm and steady leader, someone who understands how to fix systems, create jobs, and secure lives and livelihoods. That is the leadership I offer,” he said.
Drawing on over four decades of experience, Hayatu-Deen highlighted his track record of turning around struggling organisations, leading economic reforms that created jobs, attracting investment, and supporting education initiatives, particularly for children affected by insecurity.
He also delivered a direct message to members of the ADC, stressing that unity within the party would be critical to winning in 2027.
“Our strength lies in our unity. Nigerians are looking for a credible alternative, and the ADC must rise to that moment,” he said. “Together, we can offer a real path forward, one that secures our country, grows our economy, and restores hope to our people.”
He concluded with a call for collective action: “Join me. Let us build a Nigeria that works again, for everyone.”
ABOUT MOHAMMED HAYATU-DEEN
Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, OON, is an internationally recognised economist, banker, and industrial turnaround specialist with over four decades of leadership across Nigeria’s public and private sectors. In recognition of his service to the nation, he was conferred with the national honour of the Order of the Niger (OON) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000.
He has earned bipartisan trust across successive administrations, having chaired the Transition Committee on the Economy for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, and served on key national bodies including the Presidential Advisory Council, the National Council on Privatisation, and the National Council of Vision 2010.
As Managing Director/CEO and later Chairman of FSB International Bank Plc from 1990 to 2004, Hayatu-Deen led one of Nigeria’s most successful financial sector transformations, turning a distressed government savings institution into a fully operational commercial bank. The bank’s eventual acquisition by Fidelity Bank Plc contributed to the emergence of one of Nigeria’s top-tier financial institutions.