By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, over the weekend met with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja, where both men discussed the state of the nation and the outlook for the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, brought together two figures with a longstanding relationship dating back to Jonathan’s years in government.
According to a statement issued by the Mohammed Hayatu-Deen Media Office, the economist and banker formally informed the former president of his decision to contest for the presidency on the platform of the ADC.
Hayatu-Deen had on Thursday picked up his presidential nomination form at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, becoming one of the early aspirants to officially signal interest in the 2027 race.
The statement recalled that during Jonathan’s tenure as Vice President, Hayatu-Deen served as a member of the National Council on Privatisation and also chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s period as Acting President and subsequently as President.
The meeting was described as a continuation of years of mutual respect and collaboration between the two men.
During the visit, Hayatu-Deen reportedly commended Jonathan for his role in promoting democracy and electoral integrity across Africa.
The former president, according to the statement, warmly received the ADC aspirant and wished him success in his political ambition.
Hayatu-Deen’s media office said the presidential hopeful intends to leverage his decades of experience in both the private and public sectors to address Nigeria’s challenges, particularly insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.
The statement described Hayatu-Deen as a renowned economist and banker whose career spanning more than four decades contributed to the creation of jobs and the turnaround of several organisations across the country.
“It is this experience, across a 40-year career of creating jobs and turning around organisations, that means he can end insecurity, reduce the cost of living and create new employment opportunities for all Nigerians,” the statement added.
Hayatu-Deen has in recent weeks intensified consultations with political stakeholders, youth groups, entrepreneurs, and party members as part of efforts to build support for his presidential ambition ahead of the ADC primaries.
