Tinubu reaffirms plan to establish state police

President Bola Tinubu has again assured Nigerians that the establishment of state police will soon become a reality, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening national security.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday night while addressing the National Caucus Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the move, alongside reforms to strengthen local government administration, would deepen governance and security across the country.

Tinubu also stressed that local governments should not be starved of funds, insisting that the third tier of government must be empowered to function effectively.

According to him, political dominance by the ruling party must translate into tangible reforms, improved security and stronger grassroots governance.

He urged governors and party leaders to extend leadership to the local government level, warning that political success can only be sustained through tolerance, flexibility and broad engagement across all tiers of government.

“You are in a leadership position that must continue to promote tolerance and flexibility,” Tinubu said, adding that ongoing reforms would only succeed through close coordination between the Federal Government, states and local councils.

The President disclosed that he recently assured partners in the United States and Europe of Nigeria’s commitment to creating state police to tackle worsening insecurity.

He expressed confidence that the proposal would scale through the National Assembly, noting that the APC’s control of the legislature provides strong backing.

“They asked if I am confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen,” Tinubu said, stressing that failure was not an option.

He also directed governors to implement full financial autonomy for local governments in compliance with a recent Supreme Court ruling, saying councils would henceforth receive their funds directly.

“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We will give them their money directly. That is the truth. That is compliance with the Supreme Court,” he said.

Tinubu called for reconciliation within the APC, expressed condolences over the death of the Bayelsa State deputy governor, and urged members to pray for national stability.

He also advocated greater inclusion of women in party structures and announced plans to present the 2025 budget to the National Assembly.

Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima cautioned that the party’s rapid expansion should not breed complacency, warning that internal weaknesses could undermine progress.

He described the APC as a national force and assured defecting governors and new members that the party offered a united platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party now enjoys a commanding majority in both chambers of the National Assembly following recent defections.

He announced plans to introduce an electronic membership system ahead of the party’s March convention to strengthen internal democracy.

Speaking on behalf of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the APC’s spread as a reflection of national acceptance, noting that the party now controls 28 states.

He urged President Tinubu to remain focused on reforms despite opposition criticism.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, both emphasized the need for fairness and unity within the party, even as they expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.