President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police, telling United States and European partners that the plan would be implemented as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and governance at subnational levels. He described state policing as essential to improving national security.
Speaking at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu also stressed the need for practical local government autonomy, urging governors to stop withholding funds intended for council chairpersons. He called on APC leaders to demonstrate reconciliation, accommodation, and flexibility at the grassroots while taking responsibility for governance in their states and local governments.
“I had a very long discussion with them—US and European partners—and I was bragging that we will definitely pass a state police bill to improve security. They asked 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,” Tinubu said.
He emphasised that political reconciliation and party cohesion rest on leaders at all levels, highlighting flexibility and tolerance as key to stability and progress. He also called attention to the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, insisting that allocations must go directly to councils for autonomy to be meaningful.
“Local government autonomy must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” Tinubu asserted.
The President further encouraged party leaders to strengthen governance at the local level, offered condolences to Bayelsa State on the death of its Deputy Governor, and called for increased inclusion of women in leadership positions within the party.
Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the challenge of maintaining APC dominance ahead of the 2027 elections, noting the party’s growing influence across all geopolitical zones and urging discipline, cohesion, and careful internal management. He reassured newly aligned governors, including those from Bayelsa, Enugu, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Taraba, of full support from the party leadership.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio decried what he called “organised and orchestrated insecurity,” praising the President for the recent release of over 100 kidnapped children and advocating for stricter laws on capital offences like banditry. He encouraged governors to enforce execution warrants to deter crime and commended the APC for steadily attracting high-profile political figures.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda hailed the party’s expanding national acceptance, recent defections, and the launch of an electronic membership registration system to enhance transparency and internal democracy. He outlined plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja and preparation for the FCT local government elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, urging party leaders to mobilise for victory.
The National Caucus meeting brought together the President, Vice President, APC governors, national chairman, members of the National Working Committee, and other top stakeholders. Six governors who recently defected from the PDP to the APC attended, including Siminalayi Fubara, Peter Mbah, Sheriff Oborevwori, Douye Diri, Umo Eno, and Agbu Kefas. The party will reconvene for its National Executive Committee meeting on Friday at 5:00 pm at the State House.
