President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, insisting that councils cannot function independently without direct access to funds.
The President made the call on Thursday night during a meeting of the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
APC governors and party leaders were in attendance at the meeting, which traditionally precedes the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to hold today.
In July last year, the Supreme Court ruled that allocations meant for local governments should be paid directly into their accounts instead of being routed through the joint state-local government accounts. The judgment, however, has yet to be fully implemented.
Addressing the caucus, President Tinubu stressed that genuine local government autonomy is impossible without financial independence.
Emphasising the significance of the court’s decision, he said:“Let us look at the recent Supreme Court judgment, what we can do with it and how well we can position our country and our party.”
He added that the ruling must be implemented in both letter and spirit, warning that councils would remain ineffective without proper funding.
“To me, the local government autonomy, as it is, must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate.
“We’ll give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’ll comply with the Supreme Court order.”
President Tinubu also urged governors to demonstrate leadership by deepening governance and party coordination down to the grassroots.
“You are in a leadership position and must yield and continue to promote, tolerate, and be flexible. Get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” he said.
On security, the President appealed to governors to support the establishment of state police, describing it as a key component of his administration’s security reform agenda.
He disclosed that he had assured international partners of Nigeria’s commitment to making state policing work, expressing confidence in the APC’s ability to deliver the reform.
“I had a very long discussion with the U.S. and Europeans. I was bragging to them that, definitely, we will use the state police to improve security,” he said.
According to the President, when doubts were raised about his optimism, he cited the ruling party’s nationwide strength.
“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, and God forbid, we will not fail.”
President Tinubu further noted that reconciliation, accommodation and cooperation within the party were essential to translating numerical dominance into effective governance.
Earlier, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the President for what he described as decisive leadership on national security, particularly the recent rescue of over 100 abducted children. He pledged the Senate’s full support for tougher actions against kidnapping and banditry.
Akpabio praised the security agencies and expressed sympathy with the families of victims and fallen personnel. He also offered prayers for the release of remaining captives and assured affected families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
The Senate President applauded Tinubu’s diplomatic intervention in Benin Republic, noting that Nigeria’s security could not be guaranteed if neighbouring countries remained unstable.
He disclosed that the Senate had passed a bill classifying kidnapping as terrorism, which would attract the death penalty upon presidential assent. Akpabio urged governors to enforce capital punishment where applicable, warning that failure to do so could embolden criminals.
He also welcomed governors who defected to the APC, calling for unity across states and expressing confidence that the party would deliver bloc votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party had gained significant political strength following recent defections and its dominance in the National Assembly, describing the APC as having a “commanding majority” nationwide.
He attributed the influx of members from opposition parties to the APC’s growing national appeal, citing the defection of Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers).
Yilwatda also said the party had consolidated its control of the National Assembly through sustained internal mobilisation, enhancing its legislative influence and national standing.
On party administration, he announced reforms including the rollout of an electronic membership registration system to improve transparency and internal democracy.
He said training had been conducted at zonal, state and local government levels, assuring new members of full rights ahead of congresses and the national convention.
Other achievements highlighted by the chairman included the acquisition of land for a new APC national secretariat in Abuja, strong performances in by-elections, progress on constitutional amendments and preparations for the 2026 FCT local government elections.
President Tinubu arrived at the State House Conference Centre at about 7:38 pm, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; and Prof. Yilwatda.
The meeting was attended by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, members of the National Working Committee, serving governors and principal officers of the National Assembly.
Several current and former governors, party elders, former Senate Presidents, National Assembly leaders and other APC stakeholders were also present at the caucus meeting.
(NATION)
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