By Jude Opara
Ahead of the primary elections for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a prominent internal caucus known as “Team Rebuild” has thrown its weight behind Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, citing his economic expertise as the solution to Nigeria’s mounting challenges.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the group’s convener, Dr. Ebekue Tim Ebekue, argued that the intersection of rising insecurity and a fragile economy makes Hayatu-Deen the most viable candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Ebekue criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, alleging that the current government’s policies have led to a “debasement” of the economy that will leave the next administration with a staggering debt burden.
To support his claims, Ebekue highlighted several alarming socioeconomic indicators.
He noted that over 63% of Nigerians (approximately 133 million people) are currently multidimensionally poor, adding that recent data suggests over 20 million children remain out of school.
While noting that approximately 40% of Nigerian children under five suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition, he stated that UN projections suggest up to 35 million Nigerians could face acute hunger by mid-2026 if current trends persist.
“The next president will inherit an economy in distress, a security architecture in collapse, and institutions that have been systematically weakened.
“Fixing this requires someone who understands how economies are rebuilt and how trust is restored”, he stated.
The group described Hayatu-Deen as a candidate who “stands apart by record,” emphasizing his extensive background in both the private and public sectors.
His resume includes decades of experience across banking, manufacturing, aviation, and textiles.
Also, his previous roles as Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Economy.
Ebekue asserted that Hayatu-Deen carries “no corruption baggage” and possesses a clear agenda focused solely on national recovery.
The convener further alleged that the APC administration has used the judiciary and law enforcement as instruments of “political suppression” to weaken opposition parties.
He claimed that despite these pressures, Hayatu-Deen has conducted extensive groundwork to ensure a competitive run on the ADC platform.
Team Rebuild concluded by urging ADC members to prioritize capacity and proven results during the party’s upcoming primaries to ensure a formidable challenge in the 2027 polls.
