Mimiko Seeks Power Devolution to Address Nigeria’s Challenges

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has reasserted that devolving power is a critical solution to Nigeria's persistent governance problems. Speaking at the Redeemed Christian Church of God's 74th Annual Convention, Mimiko urged the adoption of the biblical 'Jethro Principle' to address structural issues, emphasizing that delegating authority and resources is key to improving efficiency and accountability.

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The ‘Jethro principle’ teaches us that effective governance must be built on merit, capacity and capability.

Mimiko drew a parallel to Moses' struggle governing alone, highlighting Jethro's advice to delegate tasks to capable leaders. He stated that effective governance hinges on merit, capacity, and capability, with power and responsibility pushed closer to the people. This approach, he explained, allows local issues to be handled locally, reserving national matters for the central government, a template for true federalism.

While acknowledging the Tinubu presidency's efforts in decentralizing policing and resource management, Mimiko stressed the biblical Jethro model as a vital tool against systemic governance failure. He contended that the excessive concentration of power at the center has been the root cause of Nigeria's challenges, including ethnocentrism, corruption, insecurity, poverty, and poor leadership.

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Power and responsibility must be pushed closer to the people, so local issues can be handled locally, while only national matters rise to the centre. That is the template for true federalism.

"Centralized government cannot manage a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation like Nigeria effectively. We need subsidiarity," Mimiko opined. He urged Nigerian Christians and people of all faiths to actively participate in politics, viewing it not just as a power contest but as a process for exercising authority for the common good. He called for combining prayer with responsible civic engagement for national renewal.

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Centralised government cannot manage a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation like Nigeria effectively. We need subsidiarity.