Foremost banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has urged stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process, emphasizing the importance of transparency, inclusiveness, and public trust in electoral governance.

In a statement issued on Friday, Hayatu-Deen highlighted the need to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that electoral processes remain credible and accessible to all eligible participants.

“Democracy is not merely a calendar of elections. It is a covenant that demands equal access, transparent rules, and the unshakeable confidence of citizens that the process is fair,” he said.

He noted that public confidence in elections is critical to the legitimacy of democratic outcomes, warning that any erosion of trust could have far-reaching consequences for governance and national stability.

“Once confidence is undermined, the legitimacy of outcomes may be questioned. Nigeria must continue to build and sustain trust in its democratic institutions,” he added.

Hayatu-Deen also linked strong institutions to broader national development, stressing that effective governance depends on credible systems that command public confidence.

“Institutional integrity and national progress are closely connected. Strengthening our systems will enhance the country’s capacity to address its challenges,” he said.

While maintaining a non-partisan stance, he encouraged adherence to the rule of law and called on citizens to remain engaged in protecting democratic values.

“The preservation of democracy is a shared responsibility. All stakeholders must remain committed to fairness, accountability, and the rule of law,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen, an elder statesman from Borno State, is a former Group Managing Director of the New Nigeria Development Company and a past chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He was also a presidential aspirant in the 2023 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).