The Transformative Governance Forum (TGF) has called for competence-based leadership, reduced cost of governance and greater state involvement in strategic industries as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Forum, in an Independence Day statement titled “The Flag Was the Beginning: 66 Years of a Promise Still Waiting,” urged political leaders to deliver on the social promises contained in the Constitution and citizens to demand accountability from those entrusted with public office.
TGF said independence should translate into tangible opportunities for Nigerians, including access to quality education, healthcare and economic opportunities, stressing that the promise of independence remained largely unfulfilled 66 years after the country attained self-rule.
The Forum also urged Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibilities by scrutinising government policies and spending, asking questions about public expenditure and using their votes to reward responsive leadership.
On political appointments, TGF maintained that while loyalty was relevant in government, it should not substitute competence. It called for only competent loyalists to be appointed into public positions and urged government to replace appointees who fail to deliver.
“A government that keeps a failing appointee in post for the sake of friendship has chosen the friend over the citizen,” the Forum said.
TGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for undertaking reforms it said previous administrations had been reluctant to implement, including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange-rate unification, tax reforms and the student loan scheme.
However, it argued that reforms must be accompanied by effective regulation to protect consumers, workers and weaker participants in the economy.
The Forum called for a stronger regulatory framework, saying deregulation without adequate regulation could allow dominant players to exploit weaker participants.
On economic development, TGF advocated substantial government ownership stakes in strategic sectors, including iron and steel, petrochemicals, fertilisers, drugs and vaccines, while urging government to leave the management of such enterprises to professional boards free from political interference.
It also proposed the establishment of a Post Bank with powers to accept deposits, as well as the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and other development banks to expand access to finance for farmers, traders and artisans.
The Forum further called for a reduction in the cost of governance, criticising what it described as excessive spending on imported official vehicles and convoys while locally assembled vehicles remain underutilised.
It urged political leaders to demonstrate the Nigeria First principle in their own choices and lifestyles, particularly amid challenges facing Nigerians in accessing healthcare and other essential services.
TGF also advocated reforms in the process of selecting political leaders, saying candidates should demonstrate character, competence and a record of service rather than relying primarily on financial capacity.
The Forum urged the governing progressive political party to strengthen its internal primary processes to ensure that candidates with proven competence and service emerge.
It also charged President Tinubu to build a disciplined and ideologically anchored progressive political party capable of surviving individual leaders and producing tested public servants.
The Forum called for an end to what it described as a culture in which public office holders regard themselves as superior to the people, stressing that political power should be treated as a temporary responsibility entrusted to leaders by citizens.
TGF concluded by urged both leaders and citizens to recognise their responsibilities in the national compact, calling on those in government to exercise restraint, invest in national development and appoint capable people, while citizens should reject vote-selling and demand accountability.
The Forum wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary.
