Presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has said Nigeria is at a crossroad and is gradually sliding into a failed state.
Hayatu-Deen, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said he decided to join the presidential race to fix the problems of the country.
According to him, he regretted that for too long, Nigerians have made the wrong choices, tolerated weak systems and watched as the gap between the potentials and realities of the country widened.
“This is not the Nigeria that we were promised, and it is definitely not the Nigeria that we deserve,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen, a banker and an industrialist, said he accepted the call to join ADC leaders “To fix the problems that have been allowed to get progressively worse.”
The aspirant regretted that things are getting worse everyday while millions of Nigerians are not only burdened economically, but are also increasingly unsafe and insecure.
“In too many parts of our country, communities live under the shadow of fear, uncertain of what tomorrow may bring,” he noted.
Hayatu-Deen who is from Borno State, North East Nigeria, described the abduction of 416 people by Boko Haram in the state as “Cuts close to home”, and said it reaffirms to him that every Nigerian life matters.
“In some cases, citizens now bear the direct cost of that insecurity, paying ransoms to secure their own safety, a reality that speaks to a deeper failure of protection and leadership,” he added.
He stated that there is need to take a new course that is anchored on clarity and discipline, and leadership that puts Nigerians first and restores confidence in our future.
“Nigerians are tired of the same old politics, where promises are made loudly and broken quietly, where leadership is consumed by factionalism instead of being focused on results,” Hayatu-Deen stated, adding that what this season in the national consciousness demands is practical solutions and results.
“Nigerians want a leader who is serious about tackling insecurity, creating new jobs, and reforming institutions in a way that positively impacts their lives.
“Nigerians want leadership that can bring people together across the length and breadth of this country, regardless of geography, beliefs, and tribe, to pursue a shared national purpose,” he said, stating that his record, experience, and lifetime of service demonstrate clearly what he is capable of offering the ADC and the nation.
“I have the experience and the capacity to contribute substantially to the victory of our party, to unite our country, and build a safer and more prosperous future for all Nigerians,” he added.
He promised to raise the standard of leadership in the country if elected president.
“I have turned around ailing institutions to become highly dynamic and innovative, with superlative records of performance.
“I have restored confidence where it has been lost, and built futuristic systems that delivered results.
“I have led and contributed to national economic reforms that expanded opportunity and created jobs for millions, always with a clear focus on long-term stability and inclusive growth,” the aspirant stated.
