A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has urged party delegates and stakeholders to reject what he described as “recycled politics” ahead of Monday’s presidential primary.

Speaking at the “MHD for ADC” North Central Townhall in Abuja on Saturday, the former banker and businessman said the primary election would determine whether the party could emerge as a credible national alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The ADC primary is now only two days away. Monday is not merely about selecting a candidate. Monday is about determining whether the ADC is truly serious about rescuing Nigeria and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the failed politics they have endured for too long,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen, who described himself as an outsider to Nigeria’s traditional political establishment, sought to distinguish himself from other contenders in the race.

The aspirant added, “I am not on the carousel of the same old faces that Nigerians have seen for decades. I carry no political baggage. I owe no godfathers. What I bring is experience, credibility, integrity, calm leadership, and a practical recovery plan for Nigeria.”

Addressing delegates from the North Central zone, the presidential hopeful focused on insecurity and economic challenges confronting states such as Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi, warning that persistent attacks on farming communities were undermining agricultural productivity and worsening humanitarian crises.

“A nation cannot prosper when the region that feeds it is bleeding,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen also recounted how his sister was kidnapped in Borno State and held captive for three years, saying the experience reinforced his belief that government must prioritise the protection of lives.

On the economy, he outlined plans centred on job creation, agro-processing, youth employment incentives and women’s economic empowerment, arguing that Nigeria must restore productivity and investor confidence to reverse economic decline.

He also defended the autonomy of political parties following a recent court ruling concerning the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The High Court was right to affirm that INEC should not dictate the internal democratic processes of political parties. INEC’s responsibility is to ensure credible elections, maintain fairness, and protect the integrity of the electoral process, not to interfere in how parties manage their internal affairs,” he added.

Warning delegates against presenting what he termed another “platform for recycled politics,” Hayatu-Deen said failure to build a broad national coalition capable of winning could expose Nigeria to “four more years of economic hardship, rising insecurity, deepening poverty, and growing hopelessness.”

The former banker concluded by appealing to delegates to support his ambition at Monday’s primary, where he is expected to contest against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.