President Bola Tinubu has renewed his call for the creation of state police, declaring that the policy “must happen” as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and governance across Nigeria. He revealed that he had assured the United States and European partners of his determination to see state policing implemented.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. He also insisted that local government autonomy must work in practice, warning governors against withholding funds meant for local councils.
The President’s remarks come amid worsening security challenges nationwide, renewed agitation for decentralised policing and ongoing efforts to implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments.
Addressing party leaders, Tinubu said the APC, as the ruling party, must show leadership through reconciliation, accommodation and flexibility, especially at the grassroots. He urged governors and party stakeholders to take responsibility for developments within their states and local governments.
According to him, recent engagements with foreign partners reinforced the urgency of decentralised security.
“I had a very long discussion with them — US and European partners — and I was bragging to them that we will definitely pass a state police bill to improve security,” Tinubu said.
“They asked if I was confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen,” he added.
On local government autonomy, the President said the recent Supreme Court ruling must be fully implemented, stressing that autonomy would be meaningless without direct funding for councils.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. Give them their money directly. That is the truth. That is compliance with the Supreme Court,” he said.
Tinubu’s comments come amid long-standing allegations that governors divert or control local government funds through joint accounts, a practice widely criticised for weakening grassroots development.
He also urged greater inclusion of women in party leadership and political participation, calling on stakeholders to deliberately create space for them within the party structure.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his remarks, cautioned that sustaining the APC’s growing dominance would be more difficult than achieving it. He expressed confidence ahead of the 2027 general election but stressed the need for discipline, unity and careful management of internal politics.
“To succeed is much easier than to maintain that success,” Shettima said, highlighting the party’s expanding control across geopolitical zones and describing the APC as a truly pan-Nigerian party.
He reassured governors who recently defected to the APC that they had found a home in the ruling party and said the leadership would work with them.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on his part, lamented what he described as “organised and orchestrated insecurity” in the country, saying some forces were deliberately tormenting Nigeria through terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
He commended Tinubu for securing the release of over 100 abducted children and appealed for efforts to continue until all kidnapped victims were freed. Akpabio also disclosed that the Senate was pushing legislative measures to classify kidnapping alongside terrorism, a move that could attract stiffer penalties once signed into law.
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APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, hailed what he described as the party’s rising national acceptance, citing high-profile defections, an electronic membership registration drive and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.
He said the APC now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and urged members to embrace inclusiveness, especially towards new entrants from other parties.
The APC National Caucus meeting brought together the party’s top leadership, including the President, Vice President, governors and key stakeholders, to align on political and organisational strategies ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Friday.
