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Tinubu directs governors to fully implement Supreme Court verdict granting financial autonomy to local councils
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President says direct funding is key to effective grassroots governance and APC strength
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Tinubu, Akpabio, Yilwatda push state police, party unity, and reforms ahead of NEC meeting
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged state governors to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils, insisting that true autonomy is impossible without direct access to funds.
The President gave the directive on Thursday night during the National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of today’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
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Tinubu reminded the governors that the apex court had ruled in July last year that allocations meant for local councils must be paid directly into their accounts, rather than through joint state-local government accounts. He noted that the ruling had yet to be fully implemented.
According to him, councils cannot perform their constitutional responsibilities without financial independence.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” the President said. “We will give them their money directly. That is the truth, and that is compliance with the Supreme Court order.”
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Tinubu urged governors to show leadership by ensuring governance and party coordination extend to the grassroots, stressing that flexibility, tolerance and engagement at the local level were essential for effective administration.
He also called on governors to support the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as a crucial component of his administration’s security reform agenda.
The President disclosed that he had assured international partners, including the United States and European allies, of Nigeria’s commitment to making state policing work.
“I told them we will use state police to improve security. I am confident because I have a party that can make it happen,” Tinubu said, expressing confidence in the APC’s nationwide spread.
He emphasised that reconciliation and cooperation within the ruling party were necessary to convert numerical strength into good governance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Tinubu’s leadership on security, particularly the recent rescue of over 100 abducted children, and pledged the National Assembly’s support for tougher anti-kidnapping measures.
Akpabio revealed that the Senate had passed a bill classifying kidnapping as terrorism, which would attract the death penalty upon presidential assent. He urged governors to enforce capital punishment where applicable, warning that leniency could embolden criminals.
He also praised Tinubu’s diplomatic intervention in the Benin Republic, noting that Nigeria’s security is closely linked to stability in neighbouring countries.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party had recorded significant growth following high-profile defections and increased dominance in the National Assembly.
He described the APC as enjoying a “commanding majority” nationwide, citing defections by Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers).
Yilwatda announced the rollout of an electronic membership registration system to strengthen transparency and internal democracy, adding that training had been conducted at zonal, state and local government levels.
He also listed other milestones, including the acquisition of land for a new APC national secretariat, strong performances in recent by-elections, progress on constitutional amendments and preparations for the 2026 FCT local government elections.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, National Assembly leaders, party elders, and members of the National Working Committee.
