Mohammed Hayatudeen, a presidential hopeful under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has cautioned that the ongoing debate over zoning is distracting Nigerians from the country’s most pressing and dangerous challenges.
Speaking on the Political Paradigm programme on Channels Television, he urged a shift in national focus toward critical issues such as insecurity, economic decline, and the urgent need for job creation.
He questioned the relevance of zoning in the face of worsening insecurity, noting that hundreds of people were recently abducted and many others have been killed in recent years. He also highlighted the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians—parents unable to afford food or send their children to school—asking how zoning addresses these realities.
Hayatudeen stressed that Nigeria needs leaders chosen not by regional considerations but by their character, competence, and compassion. According to him, what truly matters is the ability to deliver meaningful results for all Nigerians.
He further argued that the country’s security crisis is closely linked to long-standing economic mismanagement. He explained that decades of poor economic performance have significantly increased poverty levels, with about 110 million Nigerians now living below the poverty line, fueling instability and violence.
Rejecting claims that insecurity is driven by election cycles, Hayatudeen said available data does not support that argument, adding that his analysis aligns with findings from both local and international institutions.
On his choice of the ADC platform, he said the party’s constitution, leadership, and manifesto reflect his vision for Nigeria. He described its leaders as determined and capable of mobilizing effectively for electoral success.
He added that the party’s focus on tackling the cost of living crisis, insecurity, unemployment, and poverty aligns with the needs of everyday Nigerians.
Hayatudeen also expressed concern over what he described as a shrinking political space, alleging that government actions—through proxies and state mechanisms—are limiting Nigerians’ ability to freely make political choices.
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