Presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has warned the party against engaging in what he called “the same old politics” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He made the remarks on Thursday during a youth town hall meeting in Abuja, ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for May 25.
“The only way to defeat APC is with a fresh candidate. I carry no baggage and owe no allegiance to political godfathers,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen urged the party to seize the 2027 election as a defining opportunity for a new generation determined to move away from recycled politics and repeated promises in Nigeria. He challenged the ADC leadership to field a fresh candidate capable of defeating the ruling party.
According to him, the party must decide whether it is truly ready to present a credible alternative that can restore public confidence in governance.
Speaking to hundreds of young Nigerians, the technocrat blamed poor leadership, weak governance, and economic neglect for the country’s current challenges.
“The problem has never been Nigeria’s young people. The problem has been leadership that failed to plan, invest, and address the hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
He described rising unemployment, insecurity, and the high cost of living as major threats to the future of Nigerian youths.
“Two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 35 years. Whenever politicians discuss Nigeria’s future, they are discussing young Nigerians,” he said.
He added that worsening economic conditions reflect years of policy failure and poor governance that have undermined the future of young people.
Hayatu-Deen also lamented that over 18 million Nigerian children are out of school, while millions of graduates continue to struggle to find employment.
He said his campaign is focused on jobs, security, and youth development, with policies aimed at reducing poverty and insecurity nationwide.
He further proposed the creation of 100 days of public work annually for low-income Nigerians, alongside tax incentives for companies that employ NIN-verified workers from vulnerable communities.
“Jobs are not only economic policy; they are also security policy. Every employed young Nigerian reduces recruitment into crime, banditry, extremism, and violence,” he added.