An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has warned that the continued attacks by President Bola Tinubu’s aides on leaders of the Catholic Church could alienate millions of Christian voters and undermine the President’s chances of securing a second term in 2027.

Vatsa accused presidential spokespersons Daniel Bwala and Bayo Onanuga of escalating tensions with the Christian community through what he described as unwarranted attacks on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, and Cardinal John Onaiyekan following the bishops’ comments on poverty, hardship and insecurity in the country.

The former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said the remarks by the presidential aides were politically damaging and capable of deepening the perception that the Tinubu administration was insensitive to the concerns of Christians, especially after the controversy that trailed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

In a statement issued in Minna on Wednesday, Vatsa said the Presidency should have reflected on the issues raised by the bishops instead of allowing its spokespersons to engage in public attacks against respected religious leaders.

According to him, the Catholic bishops merely discharged their moral and spiritual responsibility by drawing the government’s attention to the worsening living conditions of Nigerians, insisting that their intervention was neither political nor motivated by personal interests.

“Their comments and attacks on these highly respected Christian leaders will surely hurt the President in his re-election bid,” Vatsa said.

He added that the bishops did not visit the Presidential Villa to seek contracts, appointments or political patronage but to speak on behalf of millions of Nigerians who could no longer afford three square meals, families devastated by insecurity and kidnapping, and citizens whose livelihoods had been eroded by the harsh economic situation.

Vatsa maintained that rather than discredit the bishops, the government should address the substance of their concerns, arguing that hunger, poverty and insecurity remained everyday realities across many parts of the country.

” Anybody who says there is no extreme hunger and poverty in the country today is carrying the curse of Nigerians on his head. Nigerians are dying every day from hunger and hardship,” he stated.

He further urged Bwala and Onanuga to show greater respect for the Christian faith and the Catholic Church, warning that persistent attacks on prominent Christian leaders could further widen the trust deficit between the government and many Christian faithful.

The APC chieftain insisted that anyone claiming there was no widespread hardship in Nigeria was detached from the realities facing ordinary citizens, stressing that religious leaders had a duty to speak for the voiceless and hold leaders accountable.

He also challenged the presidential aides to tour states such as Borno and Niger to witness firsthand the impact of insecurity, displacement and economic hardship on citizens, instead of dismissing the concerns expressed by the bishops.

Vatsa concluded that the administration would earn greater public confidence by listening to constructive criticism and addressing the country’s economic and security challenges rather than attacking those who speak out on behalf of suffering Nigerians.

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.