Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has questioned how Nigeria can reform its judiciary when those expected to drive change may themselves fear the institution.

Ganduje raised the concern on Tuesday at the fifth national conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), held at Abuja Continental Hotel.

He described the situation as a fundamental challenge to institutional reform, noting that those seeking to transform the judiciary may have to rely on the same institution they intend to reform.

“I wonder who will reform the judiciary in this country because the person expected to reform it may also be afraid of the judiciary, having to rely on the same institution,” he said.

Although Ganduje did not identify specific judicial officials or cite particular cases, his remarks highlighted the challenges of pursuing judicial reform and strengthening accountability within Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

He spoke against the backdrop of broader concerns about nation-building, institutional effectiveness and the relationship between political leaders and citizens.

The conference was themed, “Thinking Nation Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition for Sustainable Development.”

Ganduje said sustainable development required strong institutions capable of supporting democratic governance beyond the influence of individual officeholders.

He also questioned the ideological foundations of Nigeria’s political parties, arguing that the absence of clear differences in their principles had encouraged politicians to switch platforms in pursuit of personal interests and political opportunities.

According to him, political commitment should be guided by shared values and principles rather than the benefits individuals expect from belonging to a particular party.

The former governor further identified the lack of continuity between successive administrations as a major obstacle to sustainable development.

He said incoming governors frequently abandoned or reversed projects initiated by their predecessors, sometimes even when they belonged to the same political party.

Ganduje warned that the practice undermined development by preventing successive administrations from consolidating existing achievements and building on previous investments.

“Continuity leads to consolidation, and consolidation leads to sustainable development,” he said.

On national unity, he urged Nigerians to regard the country’s ethnic diversity as an asset rather than a liability, stressing the importance of shared national values in building a cohesive society.