2027 Presidential race: ADC panel screens Atiku, Hayatu-Deen, Amaechi
By Ndukaku Ihe
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Screening Committee, Wednesday, screened former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, foremost banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
The screening exercise, which was chaired by former Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, is part of the preparations for the opposition party presidential primary, May 25.
Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, after the screening , described the exercise ” as far more than a routine party process.”
He noted that the screening provided him an opportunity to present a practical and urgent pathway for rescuing the country from from her security and economic challenges.
According to the former Vice President, Nigeria cannot continue on the current trajectory ” where families struggle daily under crushing hardship, businesses collapse under policy uncertainty, and investor confidence continues to erode in the absence of coherent economic leadership.”
Atiku added that his economic blueprint is anchored on job creation, private sector expansion, fiscal discipline, stable macroeconomic management, and a renewed commitment to restoring Nigeria as a destination for serious investment and sustainable growth.
Furthermore, he stated that his security strategy will prioritize intelligence-led operations, stronger inter-agency coordination, decentralised security architecture, and the political will to confront criminality without hesitation.
“At this defining moment in our national life, Nigeria does not need experiments. It needs tested leadership, clarity of vision, and the courage to make difficult but necessary decisions in the national interest,” the former Vice President stated.
On his part, Hayatu-Deen, while speaking with journalists after the exercise, expressed confidence that the ADC offers the most credible platform for defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s election.
The presidential aspirant, who was former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, said if nominated as the ADC candidate, his campaign would focus on issues affecting citizens.
According to him, Nigeria can no longer afford politics without direction, especially at a time when millions of citizens are struggling under worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and unemployment.
He noted that while political conversations often revolve around personalities and power blocs, Nigerians themselves are increasingly concerned about practical solutions that can improve their daily lives and restore hope in the future.
Hayatu-Deen said: We cannot continue to normalise poverty, fear, and hopelessness as the national condition. This election must be about the future of Nigerian families, about whether people can afford food, whether young people can find jobs, whether farmers can safely return to their farms, and whether businesses can survive and grow again.”
The foremost banker reaffirmed that if elected President, he would give premium to the fight against insecurity, as well as job creation to boost the economy.
