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 crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State took a new twist on Wednesday when elders of the party disclosed that they were not aware of the reconciliation move of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general election.

The elders under the aegis of PBAT mandate forum, alleged that the governor is not sincere on reconciling all members of APC in the state.

The Chairman of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, maintained that the commitment of the governor towards the reelection of President Bola Tinubu is in doubt due to what he described as his approach towards mobilising support for Tinubu and other candidates

He said “We have carefully observed the Governor’s various attempts to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Unfortunately, these efforts have amounted largely to announcements without corresponding political impact.

“He has unveiled several support groups with considerable fanfare, only for them to fizzle out almost immediately after their launch. His Governor’s Advisory Council has remained largely dormant and ineffective, while his visible public engagement and leadership on the forthcoming elections have been strikingly inadequate.

“At a time when strong coordination, sustained grassroots mobilisation and energetic political leadership are required, the level of commitment and effectiveness demonstrated so far by him has fallen far short of expectations.

“Furthermore, it is no secret that the Governor is dissatisfied with the non-emergence of many of his preferred candidates for the National Assembly and with the reduction of his influence in the emergence of some State House of Assembly candidates.

“Recently, many party faithful were disturbed by reports and photographs showing the Governor hosting a prominent opposition senatorial candidate and allowing such images to enter the public domain.”