Warns that political office is temporary, but its consequences can shape generations
As FFDGN Chairman Tackles Nigerian Leaders, Says Power Without Character Destructive
Ganduje faults self-serving defections
Growing disconnect between government policies and citizens’ everyday experiences had weakened public trust, Okowa
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- AHEAD of 2027 Presidential and general elections, former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians that as they politics, they must place national interest above party loyalty and sectional considerations, declaring that Nigeria is greater than any political party and politician in the country.
According to Jonathan, Politicians must know that politics can only be played when there is a peaceful Nigeria, stressing that the country is bigger than thr ruling All Progressives Congress, APC; the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC; the Action Democratic Congress, ADC and other political parties.
Speaking yesterday at the 5th National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in Abuja, the former President who called for national unity, stronger democratic institutions and greater commitment to good governance, said that former deputy governors have a responsibility to deploy their experience in order to promote national development.
The conference, which runs from October 20 to 21, is themed, “Rethinking Nation-Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect Through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition Towards Sustainable Development.”
Jonathan who was represented by a former Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Bala Ngilari, warned that ethnic, religious and regional divisions remained major obstacles to Nigeria’s political development, just as he reminded all that political office is temporary, but its consequences can shape generations, making it imperative for former public office holders to guide emerging leaders on integrity, accountability and responsible leadership.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, citing the resilience and creativity of its people, particularly young Nigerians, whom he said needed opportunities to work, innovate and prosper.
He said, “One major obstacle to Nigeria’s political development is division along ethnic, religious and regional lines. We must rise above these differences and promote politics founded on competence, Integrity, inclusion and national interest.
“Nigeria must always be greater than any political party, individual or sectional interest.”
The former President who served as deputy governor and governor of Bayelsa State before becoming vice-president and president of the country noted that his experience had taught him the importance of consultation, teamwork and strong institutions, just as he urged former deputy governors to promote cordial relationships between serving governors and their deputies, mentor younger politicians and discourage divisive politics.
Jonathan said, “As a former deputy governor and governor of Bayelsa State before becoming vice president and subsequently president of Nigeria, I understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the office of deputy governor.
“The experience teaches patience, loyalty, consultation and teamwork. Above all, it reminds us that governance is not about one individual but about strong institutions and service to the people.”
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), Dr Chris Alozie Akomas challenged political leaders to abandon arrogance and embrace accountability, warning that power without character is destructive and governance without empathy is empty.
Akomas who identified the widening gap between political leaders and citizens as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development, said sustainable development could not be achieved through policies, budgets and administrative reforms alone without a fundamental change in the attitudes, values and conduct of those entrusted with public responsibility.
According to Akomas, the disconnect between leaders and the people they govern has spread across government institutions, communities and families, weakening the collective effort needed to build a prosperous nation.
“We cannot build a lasting future on a foundation of indifference,” he said.
The former deputy governor who maintained that leadership should be measured by the commitment to serving the people, particularly the vulnerable, rather than the privileges and influence attached to public office, said, “Leadership is not a badge of immunity; it is a higher standard of accountability,” he said, urging public officeholders to replace arrogance with humility and responsibility.
“Power without character is destructive, while governance without empathy is an empty shell.”
Akomas who notec that Nigeria’s development challenges required more than new laws and government programmes, stressed that national renewal must begin with integrity, ethical conduct and a commitment to the common good, just as he warned that public trust would remain elusive if leaders continued to ignore the everyday struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The FFDGN chairman also cautioned against placing the entire responsibility for national renewal on government officials, insisting that citizens had an equally important role in restoring the country’s values.
“A nation is never rescued by its government alone; it is also sustained by the conscience of its people,” he said.
In his remarks, former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje who called on Nigerians to embrace their diversity and develop a stronger sense of national identity, warned that ethnic politics continued to undermine nation-building, just as he traced Nigeria’s complex national integration challenges to its colonial history but acknowledged the contributions of First Republic politicians to the struggle for independence.
The immediate past national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress who also criticised the lack of continuity between successive administrations, saying political friction between incumbent governors and their predecessors often led to the abandonment of projects and programmes, said such practices undermined sustainable development, stressing that continuity was necessary for consolidation and long-term progress.
He faulted the weak ideological foundations of Nigerian political parties, saying that politicians frequently defected in pursuit of personal interests rather than shared values.
“We must, however, appreciate our First Republic politicians, who developed a sense of nationalism and worked to secure independence. They succeeded in achieving independence through political pressure.
“Unfortunately, after Nigeria’s Independence, some of those leaders who had demonstrated a nationalistic outlook became tribalistic in their attitudes, as political parties were largely organised along ethnic lines.
“It is, therefore, our responsibility, as time progresses, to come together, believe in Nigeria and turn our diversity into an asset rather than a liability,” he said.
Ganduje who noted that deputy governors should be recognised for their contributions to governance rather than treated as mere substitutes for governors, said, “What is the issue between a governor who has left office and a new governor who has taken over? We often find friction between them, sometimes even when they belong to the same political party. The situation can be worse when they belong to different parties.
“This friction denies us continuity in governance. A governor may have completed some projects while others are still ongoing. When a new governor comes into office, the previous administration’s projects and programmes may be abandoned or reversed. There is, therefore, no continuity.”
On his part, former Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who noted that the growing disconnect between government policies and citizens’ everyday experiences had weakened public trust, said that nation-building depended on a social contract anchored on accountability, inclusion and shared responsibility, adding that citizens had increasingly felt alienated because their expectations and aspirations were not being adequately met.
He said rebuilding trust between the government and the governed was as important as economic growth, infrastructure development and administrative efficiency.
The conference attracted political leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, industry representatives, academics, youth and women’s organisations, and professional bodies.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the forum’s Grand Patron, attended the gathering, while former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, served as co-chairman.
Earlier, the forum’s Director-General, Hon. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, told the gathering that the organisation remained committed to promoting civic education, integrity and discipline to address the widening gap between leadership and citizens.
Ibe-Kalu urged participants to translate their deliberations into practical solutions that would strengthen national unity, improve governance and advance sustainable development.
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