Former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing concerns over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and what he described as a shrinking democratic space in Nigeria.
Hayatu-Deen announced his defection in a statement on Sunday, saying his decision was informed by the need to align with a political platform capable of delivering meaningful change.
He noted that his entry into politics in 2022, when he sought the PDP presidential ticket, was driven by a desire to contribute to national development within what he then considered a broad and open democratic environment. However, he said the expectations of Nigerians have since been met with disappointment.
According to him, the ADC represents a viable alternative for addressing the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, rising cost of living, and unemployment.
He said Nigerians are increasingly demanding a government focused on practical solutions that will improve safety, create jobs, and enhance economic stability.
Hayatu-Deen also expressed concern over what he described as a narrowing democratic space, warning that opposition voices are being stifled and institutions placed under strain.
He stressed that democracy must provide citizens with genuine choices and credible alternatives.
Pledging his commitment to the ADC, he said he would work towards the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.
Hayatu-Deen, a former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, had contested the PDP presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 elections but later withdrew from the race, citing concerns over the monetisation of the process.
