Zoning debate a distraction from insecurity, economic hardship — Hayatudeen
A presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Mohammed Hayatudeen, has criticised the ongoing national debate on zoning, saying it is distracting Nigerians from more urgent challenges facing the country.
Speaking on Political Paradigm on Channels Television, the economist and former banker said issues such as insecurity, poverty, and unemployment should be the nation’s priority rather than political positioning.
He cited recent incidents of mass kidnappings and killings, arguing that they reflect deeper systemic failures.
“Last week, 416 people were abducted and threatened with execution. What has that got to do with zoning?” he asked. “The thousands of Nigerians killed over the last three years, what has that got to do with zoning?”
Hayatudeen said Nigerians are struggling with basic survival, including food insecurity and inability to afford education, adding that leadership choices should be based on competence and empathy rather than regional considerations.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is capacity, vision, and the ability to deliver for Nigerians,” he said.
The ADC aspirant linked Nigeria’s rising insecurity to long-standing economic challenges, saying poor economic management has worsened poverty levels across the country.
“The economy has been under-managed for at least 20 years. Poverty has increased significantly, and about 110 million Nigerians are now living below the poverty line,” he said.
