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Insecurity: Tinubu pledges state police to US, European allies
Tinubu Renews Push for State Police, Warns Governors on Local Government Funds
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday renewed his commitment to the creation of state police, revealing that he had assured the United States and European partners of his determination to implement decentralised policing in Nigeria.
The President stressed that state police “must happen” as part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security and improve governance at the subnational level.
Tinubu made the remarks while speaking at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
State Police “Must Happen”
Addressing party leaders, Tinubu disclosed that he recently engaged in extensive discussions with international partners and confidently assured them that Nigeria would pass a state police bill to tackle insecurity more effectively.
“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,” the President said.
He added that when asked about his confidence in securing legislative backing, he expressed trust in the APC’s leadership strength and unity.
“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on… and if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail,” Tinubu stated.
Local Government Autonomy Must Be Practical
Beyond policing, Tinubu insisted that local government autonomy must go beyond theory and work in real terms, warning governors against withholding funds meant for council chairpersons.
The President urged strict compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating direct allocation of funds to local governments, describing it as a constitutional obligation.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court,” he insisted.
His comments come amid longstanding allegations that some state governments divert or control local government allocations through joint accounts, undermining grassroots development.
APC Must Show Leadership at the Grassroots
Tinubu told APC leaders that as the majority party, they must lead by example through reconciliation, accommodation and flexibility, especially at the grassroots level.
He urged governors and party stakeholders to take responsibility for developments within their states and councils, stressing that effective local governance would help stabilise communities nationwide.
Inclusion, Condolences and National Prayers
The President also appealed for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and political participation, urging stakeholders to deliberately create space for women in the APC.
He offered condolences to Bayelsa State following the death of the Deputy Governor and called on Nigerians to continue praying for the country amid ongoing challenges.
Shettima: Sustaining Power Is Harder Than Winning It
Vice President Kashim Shettima warned APC leaders that maintaining the party’s growing dominance would be more challenging than attaining power, especially ahead of the 2027 general election.
He highlighted the APC’s expanding presence across the geopolitical zones, describing the party as truly pan-Nigerian.
“To succeed is much easier than to maintain that success,” Shettima said, while listing APC’s strength across the South-South, North Central, North West, South West and North East regions.
He reassured governors who recently defected to the APC that they had found a home, naming leaders such as Umo Eno, Douye Diri, Siminalayi Fubara, Sheriff Oborevwori and Peter Mbah.
Akpabio Laments ‘Orchestrated Insecurity’
Senate President Godswill Akpabio lamented what he described as “organised and orchestrated insecurity” driven by terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
He assured President Tinubu of the caucus’ support and prayers, while commending the release of over 100 kidnapped children and calling for the rescue of those still in captivity.
Akpabio also disclosed that the Senate had taken bold legislative steps, including efforts to classify kidnapping as terrorism — a move that could attract the death penalty once assented to by the President.
APC Leadership Hails Growing Influence
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, hailed what he described as a surge in the party’s national acceptance, citing high-profile defections, an electronic membership registration drive and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja’s Central Business District.
He said the APC now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and urged members to support ongoing expansion efforts ahead of congresses and the March 2026 national convention.
Looking Ahead
The 14th APC National Caucus meeting brought together the President, Vice President, governors, National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders to align strategies ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Friday.
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