Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has challenged fellow contenders in the party’s presidential race, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, to publicly declare their commitment to the party’s newly introduced Governance Principles and Code of Ethics, known as The Orange Book.
Hayatu-Deen made the call following his appearance before the ADC Presidential Screening Committee, saying one of the notable features of the screening process was the issuance of the Orange Book to all presidential and governorship aspirants, alongside a requirement to affirm its principles.
In posts shared on his social media platforms on Friday, the economist described the document as “perhaps the first of its kind in modern Nigerian politics,” arguing that it establishes an ethical framework that places service to citizens above personal or political interests.
“The Orange Book is not a slogan. It is a declaration that public office is not for self-enrichment, personal glory, or political entitlement, but for service to the Nigerian people,” Hayatu-Deen said.
According to him, aspirants seeking the party’s mandate are expected to uphold principles including integrity, transparency, accountability, merit, discipline, rejection of corruption, opposition to vote-buying and godfatherism, as well as prioritising public interest over personal ambition.
Hayatu-Deen noted that two provisions in the document particularly resonated with him: “Leadership is measured not by individual legacy, but by the enduring impact of completed, purposeful, and people-centred action,” and “I am a public servant, not a ruler of Nigerians.”
“These are not ordinary political declarations. They are standards that every leader, irrespective of political party, should be willing to uphold,” he stated.
The former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group publicly affirmed his commitment to the ADC’s Code of Ethics and urged other aspirants to openly do the same.
“Because Nigerians deserve transparency from those who seek to lead them, I believe every aspirant seeking the mandate of our great party should publicly declare whether they are willing to uphold these standards,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen argued that Nigeria’s challenges extend beyond economic hardship and insecurity, insisting that the country is equally confronting a crisis of leadership, accountability, and public trust.
“Nigeria needs a different political culture rooted in service, responsibility, competence, and moral courage. We must begin to change that,” he added.
The challenge comes amid increasing activity within the ADC ahead of its presidential primary, as aspirants intensify campaigns to secure the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.
