President Bola Tinubu has directed all state governors to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy by ensuring that statutory allocations are paid directly to local government councils.
Tinubu gave the directive on Thursday night while addressing the 14th National Caucus Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, Abuja.
The president said genuine local government autonomy is impossible without financial independence, stressing that council funds must no longer be subjected to interference by state governments.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” Tinubu said. “We will give them their money directly — that is compliance with the Supreme Court. Leadership must be taken seriously.”
He urged governors and party leaders to deepen reconciliation efforts, show flexibility and engage grassroots communities, noting that leadership should not be restricted to state capitals alone.
Tinubu also disclosed that he had assured the United States and the European Union of Nigeria’s commitment to establishing state police as part of measures to address insecurity across the country.
“I had extensive discussions with leaders of the US and the European Union,” the president said. “I told them confidently that we will pass state police to improve security. I have a party that will make it happen.”
The president further commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa State over the death of the deputy governor, praying for the repose of his soul.
Tinubu also called for increased female participation within the APC caucus and party leadership structure.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the ruling party was experiencing growing national acceptance, citing recent defections and electoral victories.
Yilwatda said the party’s electronic membership registration exercise would run through January, with January 30 set as the deadline ahead of party congresses.
He also disclosed that the APC, with Tinubu’s support, had secured land in Abuja’s Central Business District for the construction of a new national secretariat, adding that architectural designs were already in progress.
The APC chairman noted that the party now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, attributing the development to Tinubu’s leadership and recent defections.
The caucus meeting was attended by Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, members of the National Working Committee, leaders of the National Assembly and recently defected governors.
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