Former President Goodluck Jonathan met with African Democratic Congress presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at his Abuja residence on Friday, as calls for Jonathan’s own return to the race intensify.
The closed-door meeting came 48 hours after a crowd urged Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidency. Jonathan told the crowd he would consult widely and respond “at the appropriate time.” He lost his 2015 re-election bid to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
*A reunion of former allies*
According to Hayatu-Deen’s media office, the two men discussed the state of the nation and the outlook for the 2027 elections.
The statement said their relationship dates back to Jonathan’s time as vice president, when Hayatu-Deen served on the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises. He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as acting president and president.
Hayatu-Deen, a banker and economist, said he collected his ADC presidential nomination form the previous evening and formally informed Jonathan of his intention to run.
He called on Jonathan to support his bid, citing his 40-year career in public and private sector roles that he said created jobs and turned around organizations.
“Hayatu-Deen would bring a lifetime of distinguished public and private sector service to the Presidency,” the statement said, adding that his experience positions him to tackle insecurity, reduce the cost of living, and create jobs.
Hayatu-Deen also praised Jonathan’s role in promoting democracy and electoral integrity across Africa. Jonathan received him warmly and wished him well in the contest.
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