Former deputy governors across Nigeria have called for guaranteed political representation for women, young people and marginalised minorities, urging governments to widen access to power and make leadership more inclusive.
The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) said greater inclusion, accountable leadership and stronger citizen participation were essential to rebuilding public trust and addressing the disconnect between government and the people.
The forum made the call in a 16-point communiqué issued at the end of its fifth national conference, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel from October 20 to 21.
It urged the federal, state and local governments to introduce gender quotas and other measures to improve the representation of underrepresented groups in executive and legislative offices.
The conference was chaired by former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, with former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as co-chairman. Its theme was “Rethinking Nation-Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect Through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition for Sustainable Development.”
Beyond political representation, the forum called for a shift towards merit-based public appointments, insisting that competence and character should guide the selection of public officeholders.
It also urged governments to adopt a national communication framework that would require public officials to explain policies, achievements and shortcomings honestly, rather than leave citizens to rely on incomplete information.
To improve service delivery, the former deputy governors recommended published service standards for government agencies, including clear timelines for processing requests and accessible channels for complaints.
They also proposed formal ward-level consultative assemblies where community representatives could regularly engage elected and appointed officials on local needs, public services and development priorities.
On governance and traditional institutions, the forum called for constitutional provisions defining the role of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s political structure.
The communiqué further urged the Federal Government to harness the country’s youthful population, agricultural potential, solid minerals and technological capacity to drive economic growth.
It called for the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and greater support for young people in digital innovation, while advocating a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and sustained investment in security agencies.
The forum also pressed for improved teachers’ remuneration, arguing that educators’ contributions to national development deserved greater recognition.
On national values, it advocated the preservation of beneficial cultural traditions, stronger family and community ties, and mutual respect between leaders and