December 19th, 2025
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It is time to fully comply with the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu admonished governors last night.
He urged them to brace for the implementation of state police as a panacea to insecurity.
The President spoke during a National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governors of the APC, along with party leaders, attended the meeting at the Presidential Villa.
The caucus is usually a prelude to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which will be held today.
The Supreme Court in July last year held that funds for the councils should be paid directly into their coffers rather than into the joint state/local government account, as is currently done.
That verdict has not been obeyed, prompting the President’s call.
He said there can be no genuine autonomy for the councils without direct access to funds.
Emphasising the importance of the apex court judgment, 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.”
President Tinubu said the judgment on autonomy must be implemented in both letter and spirit, adding that councils cannot function effectively without financial independence.
He stressed: “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 urged the governors to take leadership seriously by ensuring that governance and party coordination extend down to the grassroots.
He said: “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.”
The President also enjoined the governors to support the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as a critical pillar of his administration’s security reform agenda.
He explained that he had assured international partners of Nigeria’s resolve to make state policing work.
He expressed confidence in the ruling party’s capacity to deliver the reform.
President Tinubu said: “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 when his interlocutors questioned his confidence, he pointed to the APC’s dominance across the country.
The President added: “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.”
The President emphasised that reconciliation, accommodation, and cooperation within the party were essential to translating numerical strength into effective governance.
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Akpabio commended President Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership on national security, particularly the recent rescue of over 100 abducted children, pledging the Senate’s full backing for tougher measures against kidnapping and banditry.
He praised the security agencies for their efforts and expressed sympathy with the families of victims and fallen security personnel.
