Former President Goodluck Jonathan hosted Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at his Abuja residence on Friday. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two statesmen to exchange views on the current national challenges and the prospects for the 2027 general elections.
Hayatu-Deen, who recently obtained his nomination form from the ADC headquarters, used the visit to formally notify Jonathan of his ambition to contest the presidency. A statement from the aspirant’s media office on Saturday highlighted the long-standing professional relationship between both men, noting that Hayatu-Deen served under Jonathan in various capacities during the former president’s administration.
Specifically, Hayatu-Deen was a member of the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises when Jonathan held the position of Vice President. He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as Acting President and subsequently as President. The statement further revealed that Hayatu-Deen lauded Jonathan’s contributions to democratic governance and electoral integrity across Africa, describing him as a respected continental statesman.
In response, Jonathan greeted the ADC aspirant warmly and expressed his best wishes for Hayatu-Deen’s political journey. The media office also described Hayatu-Deen as a seasoned economist and banker with a four-decade career spanning both public and private sectors, which has contributed to job creation and institutional reforms in Nigeria. If elected, Hayatu-Deen plans to tackle insecurity, reduce the rising cost of living, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Jonathan’s engagement with Hayatu-Deen comes amid heightened political activities as the 2027 elections draw closer, with the former president himself facing speculation about a potential return to the ballot.