A former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged political leaders to sustain development projects across administrations to promote continuity and sustainable national development.

Mr Ganduje made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the fifth National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).

He said political differences between outgoing and incoming governors, including those from the same party, often resulted in the abandonment or reversal of ongoing projects and programmes.

“Continuity leads to consolidation, and consolidation leads to sustainable development. I believe this is an issue we must address,” he said.

Mr Ganduje also urged Nigerians to embrace national unity and view the country’s diversity as an asset rather than a source of division.

He noted that though some political leaders promoted nationalist ideals during the struggle for independence, ethnic considerations later influenced party politics.

“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.

Mr Ganduje expressed concern about the strength of democratic institutions, including political parties, the judiciary, the legislature and the media.

He said the lack of clear ideological differences among political parties encouraged defections driven by personal interests rather than shared values.

He questioned how political parties could function as strong democratic institutions without clear principles to sustain members’ commitment.

In his speech, former President Goodluck Jonathan called on political leaders to rise above ethnic, religious and regional divisions and promote politics based on competence, integrity, inclusion and national interest.

Mr Jonathan, the grand patron of FFDGN, made the call in an address delivered by Bala James Ngilari, a former deputy governor of Adamawa State.

He said political divisions were hindering Nigeria’s development and urged political actors to place national interest above partisan and personal considerations.

He stated, “Nigeria must always be greater than any political party, individual or sectional interest.”

Mr Jonathan, who served as deputy governor and governor of Bayelsa State before becoming vice president and president, said his experience in public office had reinforced the importance of patience, consultation, teamwork and strong institutions.

He said former deputy governors could contribute to national unity, democratic development and constructive relationships between serving governors and their deputies.

Mr Jonathan urged the forum to mentor young Nigerians, especially aspiring political leaders, on integrity, discipline, tolerance and accountability.

“Our young people need more than opportunities to lead. They need guidance to understand that leadership is a trust, public office is a responsibility, and true success lies in serving the people with honesty and honour,” he said.

He warned that failing to guide the next generation could expose emerging leaders to avoidable mistakes.

Mr Jonathan also urged FFDGN to contribute to policy development and institutional reform by reviewing Nigeria’s constitutional framework and making well-considered recommendations to the National Assembly.

Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, he cited the resilience and creativity of its people and called for more opportunities for young Nigerians to work, innovate and build meaningful lives.

“Political office is temporary, but the consequence of our decisions can endure for generations. Our roles may change, but our responsibility to Nigeria remains,” he said.

Mr Jonathan urged the forum to serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, mentoring young leaders, promoting reconciliation and encouraging patriotic service.

Earlier, FFDGN National Chairman, Chris Akomas, called on political leaders and citizens to rebuild mutual trust and strengthen accountability to advance national development.

Mr Akomas said the widening gap between leaders and citizens at government, institutional, community and family levels was undermining sustainable development.

He said policies and administrative reforms alone could not transform the country without ethical leadership, responsible citizenship and a commitment to the common good.

“Policies do not transform a nation; people do. Budgets do not build a society; character does,” he said.

Mr Akomas said bridging the gap required leaders to embrace accountability, humility and empathy and treat public office as a responsibility rather than a privilege.

“Leadership is not a badge of immunity; it is a higher standard of accountability,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to contribute to nation-building through responsible conduct and active participation in their households, schools, religious centres and local communities.

Mr Akomas said the forum was committed to promoting national unity, ethical leadership and good governance by drawing on the experience of former deputy governors.

Also speaking, co-chairman of the conference, Ifeanyi Okowa, said the disconnect between government policies and citizens’ daily experiences had weakened public trust and the social contract between leaders and citizens.

Mr Okowa said nation-building required inclusive governance, transparent communication, accountability and meaningful citizen participation in policy formulation and implementation.

He expressed concern that young people, women, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged communities often felt excluded from governance, calling for deliberate measures to increase their participation in decision-making.

The former Delta State governor urged leaders to strengthen civic education, explain policy decisions and public spending clearly, and sustain development programmes across administrations.

He also said traditional rulers could contribute to peace-building, social cohesion and community security through their roles as custodians of customs and traditions.

In his remarks, FFDGN Director-General, Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, said the forum’s previous four national conferences had promoted dialogue on good governance, food security, economic development and national self-reliance.

He said the fifth conference would build on those discussions by examining the values and behavioural changes needed to bridge the gap between leaders and citizens.

Mr Ibe-Kalu said the forum planned to engage internationally recognised institutions to develop solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges but noted that limited resources remained an obstacle to implementing some initiatives.

He urged partners and stakeholders to collaborate with the forum to promote good governance and sustainable development.

The two-day conference, themed “Rethinking Nation-Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition for Sustainable Development,” holds in Abuja from October 20 to October 21.

 (NAN)