President Bola Tinubu has directed the 36 state governors to immediately hand over local government allocations to the councils in line with the recent Supreme Court judgment, insisting that true local government autonomy is impossible without direct funding.
The President spoke on Thursday at the 14th All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where he stressed that compliance with the apex court’s ruling was non-negotiable.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We will give them their money directly. That is the truth and that is compliance with the Supreme Court judgment. Take leadership seriously,” Tinubu said.
He urged governors and party leaders to show tolerance, flexibility and inclusiveness in governance, calling on them to remain actively involved in developments at all levels, including rural communities and local governments.
Tinubu also revealed that he had assured leaders of the United States and the European Union of Nigeria’s commitment to establishing state police as part of efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I told them confidently that we will pass state police to improve security. They asked if I was confident, and I said yes, because I have a party that will make it happen,” he stated.
The President emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that reconciliation, accommodation and flexibility among leaders were critical to sustaining the APC’s dominance and advancing national development.
He further called for increased representation of women in the party’s caucus and urged that deliberate provisions be made to accommodate more female members.
Tinubu also commiserated with the Bayelsa State Government over the death of the deputy governor, praying for the repose of his soul.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, praised what he described as a surge in the party’s national acceptance, citing high-profile defections, the rollout of an electronic membership registration system and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.
Yilwatda said the APC was consolidating its structures nationwide ahead of upcoming congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 2026, adding that the party now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.
The caucus meeting was attended by key party leaders, including APC governors, National Assembly leadership and recent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, both called for unity and mutual respect, noting that governors remain leaders of the party in their respective states.