Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nigeria’s South-West region have publicly declared their support for presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for Monday.

The endorsement was made through a statement by Babajide Dosunmu, leader of the ADC South-West Professionals Forum, after wide consultations with stakeholders, youth groups, professionals, and mobilisers across the region.

The group said their decision was based on the need for credible, competent, and disciplined leadership at a time when Nigeria is facing serious economic hardship, rising unemployment, insecurity, and weakening investor confidence.

According to the stakeholders, Hayatu-Deen stands out due to his background in banking, economic management, and public policy, which they believe makes him well-suited to address Nigeria’s governance challenges.

They stressed that Nigeria can no longer afford what they described as experimental leadership or recycled political failures, insisting that the country needs a serious-minded leader with proven competence and integrity.

The forum also highlighted that the South-West has historically supported progressive politics, accountability, and economic reform, aligning with Hayatu-Deen’s profile and leadership approach.

The group further commended Hayatu-Deen’s conduct during the party’s internal processes, especially his support for the ADC Governance Principles and Code of Ethics known as the Orange Book.They described him as a candidate who prioritises values-driven leadership, issue-based engagement, and integrity in politics.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also addressed ADC delegates ahead of the primaries, urging them to choose a candidate with experience and economic understanding, warning against political experimentation.

Despite Atiku’s appeal, the South-West bloc maintained that Hayatu-Deen represents the strongest option for the party going into the 2027 general elections, urging delegates to support him in Monday’s primary as a step toward presenting a credible national alternative.