He stressed that state police “must happen” as part of efforts to improve internal security and strengthen governance at the subnational level.
Tinubu spoke at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where he also insisted that local government autonomy must work in practical terms, urging governors to stop withholding funds meant for council chairpersons.
The President’s comments came amid rising security pressures across the country, renewed calls for decentralised policing, and the push to implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and direct allocation to councils.
Tinubu told party leaders that the APC, as the majority party, must show leadership through reconciliation, accommodation, and flexibility at the grassroots level, as he urged governors and other stakeholders to take responsibility for what happens in their states and local governments.
He said he recently held discussions with foreign partners and assured them that Nigeria would move towards state policing, adding that he was confident the APC would deliver the required backing.
“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.
“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 if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail,” Tinubu stated.
The President argued that the responsibility for political reconciliation and internal party cohesion rested with leaders at all levels, stressing that flexibility and tolerance were essential for stability and progress.
He also called attention to the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, urging party leaders to support its implementation and use it to strengthen grassroots governance.
According to the President, autonomy would be meaningless if councils were not adequately funded, insisting that allocations meant for local governments must go directly to them.
“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgment, what can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?
“To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court,” Tinubu insisted.

The President’s remarks on council funding came amid allegations against governors controlling or diverting local government allocations through state joint accounts, a practice long criticised by local government officials and civil society groups as undermining grassroots development.
The President urged party leaders to take leadership “seriously,” arguing that strong governance at the local level would help stabilise communities.
He also offered condolences to Bayelsa State following the death of the Deputy Governor. He commiserated with the people while calling for prayers for Nigeria.
Tinubu further appealed for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and participation, urging stakeholders to “make provisions” that would bring more women into the fold.
