President Bola Tinubu has directed all state governors to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, insisting that statutory allocations must be paid directly to the councils without interference.
The President issued the directive on Thursday night while addressing the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, Abuja. He stressed that true local government autonomy is impossible without financial independence.
According to Tinubu, local councils must have unhindered access to their funds to function effectively and deliver meaningful development at the grassroots.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” the President declared. “We will give them their money directly. That is the truth and that is full compliance with the Supreme Court. Leadership must be taken seriously.”
Tinubu urged governors and party leaders to prioritise reconciliation, flexibility and stronger engagement with grassroots communities, noting that governance should not be limited to state capitals alone but must extend to rural and underserved areas.
On security, the President revealed that he had held extensive discussions with leaders of the United States and the European Union, during which he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to establishing state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads,” Tinubu 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 also condoled with the government and people of Bayelsa State over the death of the state’s deputy governor, offering prayers for the repose of his soul. In addition, Tinubu called for increased female participation and representation within the APC caucus and party structures.
Earlier in his remarks, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the ruling party was enjoying growing national acceptance, pointing to recent electoral victories and the defection of prominent political figures from opposition parties.
Yilwatda announced that the party’s electronic membership registration exercise would continue through January, with January 30 set as the deadline ahead of upcoming party congresses.
He also disclosed that, with the support of President Tinubu, the APC had secured land in Abuja’s Central Business District for a new national secretariat, adding that architectural designs for the project were already in progress.
The APC chairman noted that the party now holds an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, attributing the development to Tinubu’s leadership and recent political realignments.
He further listed governors who have joined the APC from opposition parties, describing the trend as evidence of the party’s growing pan-Nigerian appeal. Yilwatda also briefed caucus members on ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, preparations for the Federal Capital Territory area council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and the party’s recent by-election victories.
The national caucus meeting was attended by President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, members of the National Working Committee, leaders of the National Assembly and governors who recently defected to the ruling party.
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