Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has defended the autonomy of political parties in conducting their internal processes.

He said that the recent Federal High Court ruling against aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) 2027 election guidelines reaffirmed the limits of the electoral body’s powers.

Hayatu-Deen spoke during the MHD for ADC NorthCentral town hall in Abuja ahead of the party’s presidential primary, which holds today.

He said: “The High Court was right to affirm that INEC should not dictate the internal democratic processes of political parties.

“INEC’s responsibility is to ensure credible elections, maintain fairness, and protect the integrity of the electoral process, not to interfere in how parties manage their internal affairs.”

The economist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), said strengthening democratic institutions was one of the reasons he joined the presidential race.

Hayatu-Deen, who described today’s primary as a major test of the ADC’s seriousness as an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 general election, warned against what he called “recycled politics.”

“Nigerians are watching us carefully, they are waiting to see whether the ADC truly intends to become a serious national alternative or merely another platform for recycled politics,” he said.

The aspirant said the outcome of the primary would determine whether the party could present a nationally competitive candidate capable of building broad support across the country.

According to him, failure to do so could leave Nigerians facing “four more years of economic hardship, rising insecurity, deepening poverty, and growing hopelessness.”

Hayatu-Deen urged delegates to see the exercise as more than an internal contest, stressing, “Monday(today) is not merely about selecting a candidate.

“Monday is about determining whether the ADC is truly serious about rescuing Nigeria and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the failed politics they have endured for too long”.

Hayatu-Deen said he represents experience, integrity and competence rather than entrenched political interests.

“I am not on the carousel of the same old faces that Nigerians have seen for decades. I carry no political baggage. I owe no godfathers. What I bring is experience, credibility, integrity, calm leadership, and a practical recovery plan for Nigeria,” he declared.

He also raised concerns over insecurity, unemployment and economic decline across the Northcentral, particularly attacks on farming communities in the zone.

Drawing from personal experience, Hayatu-Deen recalled that his sister was once abducted and held captive for three years, saying the experience shaped his views on security and governance.

Also at the weekend, ADC stakeholders in the South-West endorsed Hayatu-Deen for the party’s presidential primary today.

The stakeholders described Hayatu-Deen as the most competent candidate to lead Nigeria out of its economic and governance challenges.

The endorsement, according to a statement yesterday by the Leader of the ADC Southwest Professionals Forum, Babajide Dosunmu, was made after consultations with party stakeholders, youth groups, professionals and mobilisers across the zone.

The group said the decision was informed by what it described as the urgent need for competent leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and declining investor confidence.

According to the statement, the South-West remains committed to progressive politics, economic reform and accountable governance.

The group argued that Hayatu-Deen’s background in banking, economic management and public policy places him ahead of other contenders in the race.

It said: “The South-West has always stood for progressive politics, competence in governance, intellectual depth and economic transformation.

“After extensive engagement and consultations, we are convinced that Mohammed Hayatu-Deen represents the kind of leadership Nigeria urgently requires at this critical moment.”

The group stated that Nigeria can no longer afford what it described as experimental leadership, political theatrics, or recycled governance failures, adding that the country needs a leader with a practical understanding of economic management and institutional reforms. (The Nation)

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