Ex-presidential aspirant Hayatu-Deen dumps PDP for ADC, cites insecurity, economic hardship

Former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing growing concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and what he described as a shrinking democratic space in Nigeria.

Hayatu-Deen announced his defection in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that his decision was driven by the need to align with a political platform capable of delivering meaningful change for Nigerians.

“Like many of you, I want a safer, more prosperous future for Nigeria, but the nation faces fundamental problems that are being ignored,” he said.

He recalled that his entry into politics in 2022, when he contested as a PDP presidential aspirant, was motivated by a desire to contribute to national development within what he described at the time as a “wide-open democratic space.”

However, he said the expectations of Nigerians have since been met with “bitter disappointment,” prompting a reassessment of his political alignment and future direction.

“This is why I have taken the decision to join the ADC, which I know is the vehicle for change,” he stated.

The former banker added that Nigerians are increasingly demanding a government that prioritises key issues such as insecurity, the rising cost of living, and unemployment. He stressed that citizens want leadership that is focused on delivering tangible improvements in their daily lives.

He also expressed concern about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the space for opposition and dissent is narrowing. He pledged his commitment to the ADC and its success in the next general election, emphasising the need to provide Nigerians with a credible and effective alternative.