Ahead of the 2027 general elections, prominent economist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, held a high-profile meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday.
The closed-door discussions, held at the former President’s residence in Abuja, focused on the current state of the nation and strategic preparations for the upcoming presidential contest.
The engagement served to revive a longstanding professional relationship between the two statesmen. Mr Hayatu-Deen’s ties to the former President date back to Dr Jonathan’s tenure as Vice President, during which Hayatu-Deen served on the National Council on Privatisation and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
The seasoned banker’s service continued into the Jonathan presidency, where he played a pivotal role as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee, providing economic counsel during Dr Jonathan’s time as both Acting President and substantive President.
Whilst the specific details of the deliberations remain confidential, sources familiar with the matter indicate that the meeting is a cornerstone of Hayatu-Deen’s ongoing national consultations. The aspirant reportedly used the occasion to formally notify the former President of his decision to seek the nation’s highest office under the banner of the ADC, having recently obtained the party’s presidential nomination form.
During the exchange, Mr Hayatu-Deen expressed his profound admiration for Dr Jonathan’s statesmanlike contributions to the continent, particularly his commitment to fostering democracy and electoral integrity across Africa. In response, the former President was said to have received the aspirant warmly, offering his best wishes regarding his political aspirations.
Mr Hayatu-Deen, whose career spans distinguished service in both the private and public sectors, has centred his 2027 campaign on three critical pillars: Economic Recovery: Leveraging his expertise in business transformation to stabilise the national economy. Job Creation: Addressing the burgeoning unemployment rate through industrial and financial reforms. National Security: Implementing strategic measures to tackle the country’s persistent insecurity.
A statement from his media office emphasised that his decades of experience in navigating complex economic landscapes position him uniquely to address the rising cost of living and the security challenges currently facing the Nigerian people.
As the political calendar advances, this meeting underscores the ADC’s intent to build broad-based alliances, drawing on the experience of established leaders to bolster its “credible alternative” platform for the 2027 polls.
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