Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has called for the devolution of power as a lasting solution to Nigeria’s governance challenges, arguing that excessive concentration of authority at the centre has contributed to many of the country’s persistent problems.

Mimiko made the call while speaking on the topic, “The Government and Politics Mountain,” during the Pastors’ Seed Event at the 74th Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), themed “Mountain Movers.”

Drawing lessons from the Bible, the former governor highlighted what he described as the “Jethro Principle,” referencing the advice given to Moses by his father-in-law, Jethro, to delegate responsibilities to capable leaders in order to ensure effective administration.

According to him, governance works best when authority and resources are devolved to lower levels of government, allowing local leaders to address local challenges while the federal government focuses on national issues.

“The Jethro Principle teaches that effective governance must be based on merit, competence and capacity. Power and responsibility should be moved closer to the people so that local problems can be solved locally,” he said.

Mimiko noted that a highly centralised system is ill-suited for a diverse country like Nigeria, stressing that true federalism requires empowering sub-national governments to make decisions that directly affect their communities.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to decentralise areas such as policing, resource management and decision-making but maintained that broader structural reforms are needed to address systemic governance failures.

The former Minister of Housing and Urban Development further argued that centralisation has fuelled challenges including insecurity, corruption, poverty, poor leadership and ethnic tensions.

“Centralised government cannot effectively manage a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation like Nigeria. Leaders closest to the people should be empowered to solve the problems closest to the people,” he stated.

Mimiko also urged Christians and Nigerians of all faiths to actively participate in politics and governance, describing government as a critical sphere of influence that shapes national development.

He stressed that politics should not be seen merely as a struggle for power but as a platform for promoting the common good, adding that citizens must combine prayer with active civic engagement to achieve national renewal.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and all parties involved in a dispute over the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidacy for the Jos North North Constituency seat in the Plateau State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, while ruling on an ex parte application, restrained Abdulkadir Hassan from presenting himself as the APC candidate or taking any further steps related to the disputed nomination until the matter is resolved.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1618/2026, was filed by Adamu Aliyu against the APC, Hassan and INEC. The court directed all parties to preserve the existing situation pending the final determination of the case.

According to the ruling, “all parties in this suit shall maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”

Aliyu had asked the court to stop INEC from recognising or accepting any action by the APC to nominate, screen, clear, list or publish Hassan’s name as the party’s candidate for the constituency election.

He also sought an order preventing Hassan from parading himself or campaigning as the APC candidate pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

After reviewing the 53-paragraph affidavit, supporting exhibits and arguments presented by Aliyu’s counsel, M.B. Abdullahi, Justice Ibrahim granted the alternative relief and fixed August 24, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as growing attacks on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, and its members, warning that the country is becoming increasingly intolerant of truth and constructive criticism.

Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his official social media page while reacting to recent criticisms directed at the Catholic Church following its comments on Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

According to the former Anambra State governor, the Catholic Church has consistently served as the conscience of the nation rather than functioning as an opposition group, noting that the CBCN has, over the years, commended governments when necessary and spoken out whenever national interest demanded it.

“The Catholic Church has never functioned as an opposition party in Nigeria. Across military regimes and successive democratic administrations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has maintained a principled voice on national issues and the nation’s conscience,” Obi said.

He argued that other major religious organisations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, SCSN, had also repeatedly expressed concerns over insecurity, poverty, inflation and unemployment because they witness the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

Obi maintained that leaders should embrace honest criticism rather than attack those drawing attention to the country’s challenges.

“As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticise us when things are not going in the right direction,” he stated.

Drawing from his experience as governor of Anambra State, Obi said constructive criticism from traditional rulers and religious leaders contributed significantly to the success of his administration, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

The presidential candidate also condemned what he described as attacks on Cardinal John Onaiyekan following the bishops’ comments, insisting that respected religious leaders should not be vilified for expressing concerns over national issues.

He recalled that even during the military era, Pope John Paul II openly challenged the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over the detention of Chief Moshood Abiola without facing personal attacks.

Obi further accused political leaders of exploiting religion and ethnicity to divert attention from issues affecting Nigerians, arguing that insecurity, inflation, unemployment and economic hardship cut across religious and ethnic lines.

“The bishops merely expressed what millions of Nigerians experience daily: insecurity has worsened, poverty is deepening, inflation is crippling families, businesses are struggling, and hope is fading,” he said.

He argued that rather than responding to those concerns with personal attacks, the government should focus on addressing the issues raised and reassuring Nigerians about efforts being made to improve their welfare.

“As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us,” Obi said.