President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the 36 state governors to immediately handover local government allocations directly to the councils, in strict compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government financial autonomy.
The President made the declaration on Wednesday while addressing the 14th All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, stressing that local government autonomy would remain ineffective without proper funding.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” Tinubu said, making it clear that councils must receive their allocations directly.
“We will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously.”
Tinubu urged party leaders and governors to reflect deeply on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling and position both the country and the APC appropriately.
“Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. What can we do with it? And how well can we position our country and our party?” the President asked.
He emphasised that effective grassroots governance was impossible without empowering local governments financially, noting that the reform was essential to strengthening democracy and service delivery at the community level.
In a major policy revelation, the President disclosed that he had assured the United States and the European Union that Nigeria would establish state police as part of efforts to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I was bragging to tell them that definitely we will pass state police to improve security,” Tinubu said.
According to him, foreign partners questioned his confidence in pushing such a sensitive reform, to which he responded that he had the backing of his party.
“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen.”
Tinubu called on governors and party leaders to demonstrate reconciliation, accommodation, and flexibility in their leadership roles, particularly at the grassroots level.
“You must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible… get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to local government level,” he said.
During the meeting, the President commiserated with the Bayelsa State Government over the death of the Deputy Governor, praying for the repose of his soul.
He also called for greater inclusion of women in the APC National Caucus, urging party leaders to make deliberate provisions to improve female representation at the highest decision-making levels.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the caucus meeting as his first since emerging chairman in July, highlighting what he called a surge in the party’s national acceptance.
Yilwatda cited recent high-profile defections, the rollout of an electronic membership registration system, and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja as evidence of the party’s growing strength.
“Recent political developments underscore APC’s pan-Nigerian character, including significant defections that have further expanded our influence,” he said.
He added that the APC now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, attributing the development to President Tinubu’s leadership and improved party cohesion.
The chairman urged party stakeholders to support the APC’s expansion agenda ahead of planned congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 2026.
Yilwatda also announced the activation of an electronic membership registration system, describing it as a major organisational milestone aimed at improving transparency, data integrity, and internal democracy within the party.
Notably, six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently defected to the APC were present at the caucus meeting. They include:
1. Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers)
2. Peter Mbah (Enugu)
3. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)
4. Douye Diri (Bayelsa)
5. Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
6. Agbu Kefas (Taraba)
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, stressed the importance of unity and collaboration within the party.
Akpabio noted that governors remain the leaders of the party in their respective states and should be accorded due respect to ensure cohesion and effective governance.
