By Nefishetu Yakubu
Renowned economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has pledged to prioritise security of Nigerians’ if elected president in 2027.
Hayatu-Deen, who made the pledge during an interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that safety would be his foremost responsibility.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hayatu-Deen had recently declared his intention to contest for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.
He said that Nigerians faced worsening insecurity alongside economic challenges, noting that communities now live in fear and uncertainty as violence and instability continue to spread.
He cited the recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno where 416 people were taken hostage, stressing that the incidents highlighted the urgency of protecting the life of every Nigerian.
Hayatu-Deen recounted his personal ordeal, revealing that his sister and her child were kidnapped and held in Sambisa forest for over two years, leaving him with lasting trauma.
“I suffered a personal loss when my sister and her child were kidnapped from her home and taken to Sambisa forest for two and a half years.
“The incident has left an endemic mark in my family,” he said.
The presidential aspirant pointed out that insecurity had forced citizens to bear protection costs themselves, including ransom payments.
According to him, the country must change direction, embrace disciplined leadership focused on citizens’ welfare that will restore confidence and address challenges that have worsened over time.
“We need to take a new course; a course that is anchored on clarity, discipline and leadership that puts Nigerians first and restores confidence in our future,” he added.
Hayatu-Deen stated that he decided to join other leaders in ADC to fix the problems that had gotten progressively worse over the years.
He, however, stated that he remained open to ADC’s decision on its presidential candidate.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
