Former Managing Director of FSB International Bank Plc and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatudeen, has called for substantial clarity in the electoral timetable and the registration of political associations that meet the criteria for registration as political parties well ahead of time, so they do not suffer disadvantages by reason of late registration.
Hayatudeen emphasized the need to learn from past technological glitches and conduct future elections based on global best practices to ensure wise and informed decisions by the voting public.
He made the call in Abuja at the formal presentation of two books authored by former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, titled Beneath the Surface and Leading in a Storm.
The former presidential aspirant, who was chairman of the occasion, commended Dakuku, saying the books are not just literary works but instruments of national rebirth. He added that the books challenge everyone to reflect, reimagine, and recommit to service, justice, accountability, and resilience.
Hayatudeen said Nigeria stands today at the cusp of a major global transition, which would take a long time to resolve.
According to him, “As a nation and a continent, we can choose to lead from the front by actively participating in reshaping the contours of this emerging world, or we can choose to be bystanders and, hence, get our future written for us by other nations.
“It is my profound belief that we must seize this moment. Dr. Peterside could not have done a better service to society by releasing Leading in a Storm at this propitious moment in history.”
He said while the country had made undeniable progress, it also carried the weight of unfulfilled promises.
Hayatudeen stated, “It is noteworthy that we marked 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in May 2025. Naturally, this is a good time to take stock. How well we have fared all these years is a function of the efficacy of leadership, governance, and institutions.”
He stressed the importance of state governance and the need to bring trust back to the job of governance.
Hayatudeen also highlighted the role of the president, governors, and local government chairmen, stating that heads of local government areas must take the lead by setting a strong tone through their words and deeds.
He added that leaders need to rebuild trust with the people by offering a credible and durable programme for revitalizing and transforming society.
The former presidential aspirant said that as the 2027 elections approached, those seeking to contest should critique the records of incumbents, supported by evidence-based research, and provide a robust agenda or manifesto to convince the electorate of the superiority of their programmes vis-à-vis those of the incumbents.
Hayatudeen added, “As we march forward in this nascent democracy, there is a lot more we can do to strengthen governance and public institutions, without which this journey will be a road to nowhere.
“As we approach 2027, we need to create a climate conducive to the conduct of credible, free, and fair elections.
“Incumbent elective office holders are enjoined to render an account of their stewardship, defend their record, and clearly justify the need for seeking another mandate.
“Members of the opposition, who want to vie for elective office, should thoroughly do their homework, critique the records of incumbents supported by evidence-based research, and provide a robust and practical blueprint to convince the electorate of the superiority of their programmes vis-à-vis their opponents.
“The electoral umpire should bring substantial clarity to the electoral timetable; ensure it registers political associations that have met the criteria for registration as political parties well ahead of time so they do not suffer any disadvantages by reason of late registration.
“More importantly, it should draw profound lessons from the mishaps and technological glitches of previous election cycles and conduct the forthcoming elections based on global best practices. The voting public is enjoined to make wise and informed decisions at the ballot box.”