President Urges Flexibility, Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling, and Inclusion of Women in APC Caucus
President Bola Tinubu has called on the 36 state governors to hand over local government allocations directly to councils, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Speaking at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that local government autonomy must come with a funded mandate.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously,” he said.
The President also assured the United States and European Union that Nigeria plans to establish state police forces to address rising insecurity across the country.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I assured them that we will pass a state police system to improve security. They asked if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on,” he added.
Tinubu encouraged governors and party leaders to be flexible, engaged, and attentive to local issues, including activities at the grassroots level:
“You must yield, promote tolerance, be flexible, and get involved in whatever is happening in your states, up to the local government level.”
He also commiserated with the government of Bayelsa State over the death of the deputy governor and called for the inclusion of more women in party leadership, urging the caucus to make provisions toward that goal.
Earlier, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda highlighted the party’s growing national acceptance, citing recent high-profile defections, an electronic membership registration drive, and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.
“Recent political developments underscore APC’s pan-Nigerian character, with defections expanding our influence and strengthening party cohesion,” Yilwatda said.
The caucus, a strategic meeting of the party’s top leadership, brought together the President, Vice President, national chairman, members of the National Working Committee, APC governors, and key stakeholders to align on party and organizational priorities ahead of planned congresses and the national convention in March 2026.
Notably, six governors who recently defected from the PDP to APC including Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas attended the meeting.
Both the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas highlighted the importance of collaboration and respect for governors as state-level party leaders.
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