A presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has cautioned the party against playing what he described as “the same old politics” ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mr Hayatu-Deen spoke on Thursday during a youth town hall held in Abuja, ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for May 25.

“The only way to defeat APC is with a fresh candidate. I carry no baggage and owe no allegiance to political godfathers,” he said.

Mr Hayatu-Deen said the 2027 presidential election must become a defining moment for a new generation determined to reject recycled politics and recycled promises in Nigeria. The presidential aspirant challenged the ADC leadership to present a fresh candidate capable of defeating the ruling party in 2027.

According to him, the party must decide whether it is truly prepared to offer Nigerians a credible alternative capable of restoring confidence in governance.

Addressing hundreds of young Nigerians, Mr Hayatu-Deen, a technocrat and administrator, blamed poor leadership, weak governance, and economic neglect for the country’s challenges.

“The problem has never been Nigeria’s young people. The problem has been leadership that failed to plan, invest, and address the hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Hayatu-Deen described Nigeria’s rising unemployment, insecurity, and cost of living as threats to youths’ future.

“Two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 35 years. Whenever politicians discuss Nigeria’s future, they are discussing young Nigerians,” he said.

He added that the country’s worsening conditions showed that the future of young Nigerians was undermined by years of poor governance and policy failures.

Mr Hayatu-Deen lamented that more than 18 million Nigerian children remained out of school, while millions of graduates struggled to secure employment opportunities nationwide.

He noted that his campaign remained focused on jobs, security, and the future of young Nigerians through policies aimed at reducing poverty and insecurity nationwide.

He unveiled proposals guaranteeing 100 days of public work annually for low-income Nigerians and tax incentives for businesses employing NIN-verified workers from vulnerable communities.

“Jobs are not only economic policy; they are also security policy. Every employed young Nigerian reduces recruitment into crime, banditry, extremism, and violence,” Mr Hayatu-Deen added.

(NAN)