Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, has called on fellow contenders in the party’s presidential race, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, to publicly endorse the party’s Governance Principles and Code of Ethics, known as The Orange Book.

Hayatu-Deen made the challenge on Friday, describing the party’s screening process as one of the most significant political exercises in Nigeria’s democratic history.

According to him, all aspirants were presented with the ethics document and required to affirm its principles as a condition for participation in the screening exercise.

He said The Orange Book represents a binding ethical framework designed to redefine leadership, accountability, and public service within the party.

Hayatu-Deen explained that the document emphasises integrity, transparency, merit, discipline, rejection of corruption, opposition to vote-buying and godfatherism, and prioritising public interest over personal ambition.

He highlighted two key principles in the code, including the idea that leadership is measured by impact rather than personal legacy, and that public office holders should see themselves as servants, not rulers.

The economist and former Nigeria Economic Summit Group chairman also urged all aspirants to publicly declare their commitment to the code.

He said Nigeria’s challenges go beyond economic hardship and insecurity, arguing that the country is facing a deeper crisis of leadership and public trust.

Hayatu-Deen maintained that a new political culture rooted in service, responsibility, and moral courage is necessary for national progress.