2027: Hayatu-Deen Dismisses North-South Power Shift Debate

ADC presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has dismissed agitation for power rotation between the North and South ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as an “elite-driven agenda” designed to divide Nigerians along ethnic and regional lines instead of addressing the country’s deepening economic crisis.

Speaking during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen said Nigeria’s current condition demands urgent economic rescue and purposeful leadership rather than debates over zoning and ethnic considerations.

The former banker and presidential hopeful on the platform of the African Democratic Congress argued that ordinary Nigerians are more concerned about hunger, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living than which region produces the next president.

According to him, political elites have continued to use ethnicity and zoning as distractions to prevent citizens from demanding accountability and quality leadership.

“Nigeria today is like a pregnant woman suffering from severe blood shortage and gasping for survival. In such a situation, do you wait for the patient to die because of protocol, or do you look for an immediate solution?” he asked.

“Ethnic agenda is an elite game meant to divert the attention of the people from demanding value-driven leadership. What does good leadership have to do with zoning?” he queried.

Hayatu-Deen maintained that Nigeria urgently requires a competent leader with character, economic expertise and the political intelligence to rebuild the economy and improve citizens’ lives irrespective of tribe, religion or region.

He said his experience in banking and economic management places him in a strong position to tackle the nation’s worsening economic and security challenges.

“I am offering leadership that will add value to the lives of every Nigerian, not leadership built on empty promises or ethnic sentiments,” he said.

The ADC chieftain pledged that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would focus on job creation, economic revival and nationwide security reforms aimed at restoring confidence in governance.

“I will create employment opportunities, improve security across the country and ensure that every Nigerian is free to pursue legitimate means of livelihood without fear or hindrance,” he added.

Hayatu-Deen also unveiled part of his security agenda, promising to establish a special terrorism court and overhaul intelligence coordination among security agencies to strengthen the fight against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes.

He stressed that Nigeria’s economic hardship and insecurity are closely linked, warning that persistent violence across farming communities and commercial centres has worsened poverty, food inflation and unemployment.

According to him, only decisive and competent leadership can pull the country out of its current crisis and restore hope to millions of struggling Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.