President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils. Speaking at the APC National Caucus meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu underscored that true independence for local councils is unattainable without direct access to their allocated funds, stressing that constitutional obedience and flexibility are crucial qualities for state leadership.

During the high-profile gathering at the State House Conference Centre, President Tinubu asserted the necessity of direct financial disbursements to local governments. “There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We’ll give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court,” he stated, urging APC governors to take ownership of governance down to the grassroots level and promote a spirit of accommodation and flexibility within their states.

Beyond financial autonomy, President Tinubu also pressed the governors to support the establishment of state police, a key component of his administration’s security reform agenda. He revealed recent discussions with international partners, including the United States and European nations, to whom he expressed Nigeria’s readiness to implement state policing. Tinubu conveyed his confidence in the APC’s capacity to drive this reform, linking party unity to effective governance outcomes.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, commended President Tinubu’s decisive leadership, particularly citing the recent rescue of over 100 abducted children. Akpabio pledged the Senate’s unwavering support for more stringent legislative measures against kidnapping and banditry. He also highlighted the Senate’s recent passage of a bill classifying kidnapping as terrorism, which would carry the death penalty upon presidential assent, urging governors to enforce capital punishment where applicable.

Akpabio further linked Nigeria’s internal security to the stability of its neighbouring countries, applauding President Tinubu’s diplomatic interventions, such as in the Benin Republic. He welcomed several governors who had defected to the APC, calling for party unity and accommodation to ensure block votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, reinforcing the party’s commitment to consolidating its political strength.

Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, reported a significant surge in the party’s strength, attributing it to high-profile defections and expanding majorities in the National Assembly. He cited the defection of governors from states including Bayelsa, Enugu, Taraba, and Rivers as evidence of the APC’s growing national appeal and legislative leverage. Yilwatda also announced reforms such as an electronic membership registration system and preparations for upcoming elections.

The National Caucus meeting, a statutory organ designed to deliberate on governance and party cohesion, saw wide attendance. Dignitaries included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and numerous APC governors, including those who recently defected from the PDP. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, along with party elders and former office holders, also participated, underscoring the broad representation and importance of the discussions on national policy and party strategy.

The gathering provided a critical platform for the APC’s leadership to align on key policy directives, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to strengthening local governance, enhancing national security, and expanding the party’s political footprint across Nigeria. The discussions highlighted a strategic push for reforms aimed at improving service delivery and maintaining stability at all levels of government.

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