The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) has reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, democratic governance and sustainable development, calling for stronger collaboration among leaders, institutions and citizens.
The Forum’s National Chairman and a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Dr Chris Akomas, stated this in an exclusive interview with Voice of Nigeria on the sidelines of the Forum’s fifth annual conference in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Rethinking Nation-Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizenship Disconnect Through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition for Sustainable Development,” focused on strengthening the relationship between leadership and citizens.
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Akomas said the Forum was committed to promoting reconciliation, mentoring young people and leveraging its members’ governance experience to advance national development.
While acknowledging some progress, he warned that the disconnect between leaders and citizens, government institutions and communities, as well as within families, was widening.
“The disconnect is widening every day,” he said.
He stressed that national development required greater cooperation, mutual respect and a renewed commitment to the common good, urging Nigerians to recognise their interdependence.
“When you recognise that the next person, or the person close to you, or that your brother, or friend, or the other citizen, matters in your own existence, you don’t hurt them,” Akomas said.
He advocated collective action, noting that collaboration would deliver greater progress than isolated efforts.
“It’s either you decide to work fast, alone, and may not get that far, or you work together with others and get far,” he said.
Also speaking to Voice of Nigeria, the Forum’s Director-General, Dr Kenneth Ibe Kalu, said former deputy governors remained relevant to national development because of their administrative experience and understanding of governance challenges, including insecurity and youth recidivism.
Kalu said the Forum provided a platform for former office holders to contribute to nation-building and mentor younger generations, rejecting the perception that deputy governors were merely political substitutes.
“They are not the spare tyres,” he said.
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, Kalu urged voters to assess candidates based on their commitment to public welfare and national security.
“We are not intended to elect dummies or elect people who do not have the love of the people. Governance without empathy won’t work,” he said.
Kalu added that the Forum’s Nation Builders Awards recognised Nigerians whose contributions had advanced nation-building, with recipients selected through a rigorous, merit-based process.
He cited former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, for his contributions to governance, leadership continuity, federalism and resource control.
The conference underscored the Forum’s commitment to drawing on the experience of former public office holders to promote inclusive leadership, strengthen citizen engagement and advance national unity and sustainable development.
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