Muhammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday cast his vote in the party’s presidential primary election in his hometown of Jare, Borno State, declaring that both Nigeria and the ADC stand at critical crossroads.
In a post shared on his official social media handle, the former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor emphasized that defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election requires offering Nigerians a fundamentally new direction.
“Today I cast my vote in Jare, Borno, in the ADC presidential primary. I am running because if we are to defeat the President next year, we must offer Nigerians a new direction,” Hayatu-Deen wrote.
“Nigeria is at a crossroads. And the ADC is at a crossroads. I am ready to lead our party and our country to a safer and more prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
The primary election was conducted across Nigeria on Monday, May 25, 2026. Hayatu-Deen contested against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
Partial results from two states have been announced so far. In Yobe State, Atiku secured 44,841 votes, Hayatu-Deen polled 365 votes, and Amaechi got 300 votes. In Zamfara State, Atiku won with 60,500 votes, Amaechi followed with 191 votes, and Hayatu-Deen received 146 votes. Results from other states and the Federal Capital Territory are still being collated, with no official national winner declared yet.
Hayatu-Deen is a seasoned economist and banker who previously served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Managing Director of FSB International Bank, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He also contested for president under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections.
The ADC is currently fractured into multiple factions. One faction, led by former Senate President David Mark, is recognized by INEC as of April 30, 2026. Another faction aligned with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu held a parallel convention on May 24, declaring Kachikwu as its sole presidential candidate. A third faction led by Nafiu Bala also claims legitimacy.
As collation of results continues, Hayatu-Deen’s message that Nigeria needs a “new direction” stands as his central appeal to party delegates and the broader electorate.
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