…calls for accountability, transparency, and citizen responsibility
A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pioneer Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of FSB International Bank Plc, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has called on political leaders, opposition parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Nigerian electorate to work collectively toward ensuring a credible, peaceful, and transparent 2027 general election.
Hayatu-Deen said the responsibility for credible elections rests on all stakeholders, stressing that every group must play its role in creating a conducive atmosphere for free and fair polls.
He made the call in Abuja while delivering his address as Chairman of the occasion during the public presentation of two books Beneath the Surface and Leading in a Storm authored by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former member of the House of Representatives and one-time Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The former bank chief urged incumbent political office holders to account for their stewardship, justify their record in office, and demonstrate why they deserve another mandate. He also challenged opposition politicians seeking power to present realistic and evidence-based policy blueprints that can convince voters of their capacity to deliver better governance.
“As we approach 2027,” he said, “we must create a climate conducive to the conduct of credible, free, and fair elections. Incumbent office holders should render an account of their stewardship, defend their record, and justify their re-election bid. Those in opposition must thoroughly critique the record of incumbents with evidence-based arguments and present practical, superior alternatives to win the confidence of the electorate.”
Hayatu-Deen also called on INEC to resolve all pending issues concerning the election timetable and the registration of political parties early enough to prevent future disputes or logistical lapses.
“The electoral umpire must provide clarity on the timetable, register eligible political associations ahead of time, and learn from the technological and administrative shortcomings of previous elections to deliver a process that meets global best practices,” he added.
He further urged Nigerians to make informed and independent choices at the ballot box, rejecting inducements of any kind.
“The electorate must take responsibility by voting wisely and refusing to be swayed by material offers. Democracy thrives only when citizens exercise their civic duty with conscience and conviction,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, Hayatu-Deen observed that, like the United States whose democracy is nearly 250 years old yet still evolving Nigeria’s system is a “work in progress” that requires continuous effort to strengthen governance and public institutions.
Turning to Dr. Peterside’s works, Hayatu-Deen described them as deeply reflective and inspirational, saying they serve both as “a mirror of national reality and a compass for renewal.”
“In Beneath the Surface, the author captures the contradictions of our nation a land of vast resources yet recurring hardship; a people of immense talent yet challenged by brain drain; a democracy of promise yet weakened by fragile institutions,” he noted.
According to him, Peterside’s essays courageously address issues such as hunger, energy, accountability, secessionist tensions, youth unemployment, and global governance, but always with a message of hope and renewal.
On Leading in a Storm, Hayatu-Deen said the book “takes readers into the very heart of leadership in uncertain times,” adding that Peterside reminds Nigerians that crises are no longer interruptions but “the new normal,” requiring leaders who can “sail in any weather.”
“Together, these two works form a powerful pair one diagnosing the pulse of our nation, the other equipping us to navigate the storms ahead,” he said.
Commending Peterside’s intellectual effort, Hayatu-Deen concluded:
“These books are not just literary achievements; they are instruments of national rebirth. They challenge us to reflect, reimagine, and recommit to service, justice, and integrity. May this occasion mark the beginning of new conversations, new commitments, and bold actions toward the Nigeria of our dreams.”
The event attracted dignitaries, policymakers, and thought leaders from across Nigeria and beyond.
