Presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has challenged fellow African Democratic Congress (ADC) contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, to publicly endorse the party’s new Governance Principles and Code of Ethics.
Hayatu-Deen issued the challenge on Friday after the party’s screening exercise, describing “The Orange Book” as a groundbreaking document in Nigerian politics.
“The Orange Book is not a slogan. It is a declaration that public office is not for self-enrichment, personal glory or political entitlement, but for service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
He noted that all screened aspirants, including those vying for the presidential and governorship tickets, received copies of the document and were required to affirm its principles.
Hayatu-Deen, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, publicly pledged his commitment and urged others to do the same openly. “Because Nigerians deserve transparency from those who seek to lead them, I believe every aspirant seeking the mandate of our great party should publicly declare whether they are willing to uphold these standards,” he stated.
The code emphasises integrity, transparency, accountability, merit-based leadership, rejection of corruption, vote-buying and godfatherism, while prioritising public interest.
Two provisions particularly resonated with him: “Leadership is measured not by individual legacy, but by the enduring impact of completed, purposeful and people-centred action,” and “I am a public servant, not a ruler of Nigerians.”
Hayatu-Deen described the screening process as one of the most significant political exercises in Nigeria’s democratic history and called for a new political culture rooted in service, competence and moral courage.
The challenge comes as the ADC positions itself as a credible alternative platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
