A presidential hopeful under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has called on opposition politicians in Nigeria to come together ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying unity is the only way to challenge the ruling party.
He made the appeal on Saturday during the National Opposition Summit held in Ibadan, where he warned that Nigeria’s current problems are too complex for any single political party or individual to handle alone.
According to him, opposition groups must work as one if they truly want to offer Nigerians a strong and believable alternative in the next election.
Hayatu-Deen said the country is going through a serious phase marked by insecurity, high cost of living, and shrinking democratic space, adding that these challenges require a joint effort to solve.
He stressed that the situation is not about personal ambition, but about rescuing the nation from its current struggles.
The economist warned that continued division among opposition parties would only strengthen the ruling system and make life more difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
He urged political leaders to go beyond talk and focus on real cooperation, compromise, and shared goals in order to achieve meaningful change.
During the summit, Hayatu-Deen also held discussions with several top political figures, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
He also met with key organisers of the summit, Professor Jerry Gana of the PDP and Kashim Imam, which he described as a sign of growing efforts toward opposition collaboration.
He noted that the 2027 elections present an important chance for Nigeria to take a new direction, but only if political leaders are willing to put national interest ahead of personal and party interests.
Hayatu-Deen added that Nigerians are looking for leaders who can unite the country, show empathy, and deliver real solutions to everyday problems.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC and said he is ready to work with others to build a broad political alliance focused on improving security, strengthening the economy, and restoring trust in government institutions.