Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, on Thursday vowed to eradicate poverty, tackle insecurity, and create jobs across the country within four years if elected president in 2027.
Hayatu-Deen made the pledge after officially picking up his presidential nomination form at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday night amid a large turnout of supporters, party members, youth groups, and well-wishers.
The economist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group became the first aspirant to obtain the ADC presidential nomination form ahead of the party’s presidential primary.
He was presented with the form by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, as supporters at the secretariat chanted solidarity songs and called for leadership focused on economic recovery, security, job creation, and reducing the rising cost of living.
Speaking shortly after receiving the form, Hayatu-Deen said the 2027 election must focus on rebuilding Nigeria’s economic and security foundations.
“Nigerians are tired of living in fear. They are tired of watching businesses struggle, jobs disappear, and the cost of basic necessities rise beyond what ordinary people can afford,” he said.
“This election cannot be about politics as usual. It must be about how to secure our communities, rebuild confidence in the economy, create jobs at scale, and make life more affordable for millions of Nigerians.”
The presidential aspirant said insecurity remained one of the greatest threats to national development, warning that no country could prosper when citizens and businesses operate in fear.
“We cannot build prosperity in an atmosphere of fear and instability. Security is the foundation upon which every strong economy is built,” he stated.
Hayatu-Deen also promised to implement policies aimed at lowering the cost of doing business, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Addressing journalists after picking up the form, he said democracy gives every eligible Nigerian the right to contest for office, insisting that Nigerians would ultimately decide who leads the country in 2027.
“The owners of this country are the Nigerian people. In every democracy, citizens are responsible for choosing their leaders,” he said.
On his agenda, Hayatu-Deen said his administration would prioritise job creation, reduction of the high cost of living, and ending insecurity.
“I would like to eradicate at least 60 per cent of the poverty affecting this country within four years because over 136 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line. That is totally unacceptable,” he declared.
He also expressed confidence ahead of the ADC presidential primary, saying his decades of experience in business, economic management, and public policy had prepared him to govern Nigeria effectively.
Hayatu-Deen said he would abide by whatever mode of primary election the party leadership adopts, whether direct primaries or consensus.
