State Police: Tinubu Tells APC Caucus What He Told US, European Partners

President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he assured the United States and European partners that his administration would implement state police as part of efforts to strengthen security across Nigeria.

The President made this known on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Tinubu said he had extensive discussions with partners from the United States and Europe, during which he expressed confidence that state policing would be adopted to address security challenges.

“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on,” he said.

He added that political reconciliation and internal cohesion within the party remained the responsibility of leaders at all levels, stressing that flexibility and tolerance were critical to stability and national progress.

The President also drew attention to the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, urging APC leaders to support its full implementation to strengthen governance at the grassroots.

According to him, autonomy would be ineffective without adequate funding, insisting that allocations meant for local governments must be paid directly to them.

“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgement; what can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?

“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly.

“That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” Tinubu said.

He further urged party leaders to take leadership seriously, noting that effective governance at the local level would help stabilise communities nationwide.

Tinubu also called for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and participation, urging stakeholders to create more opportunities for women within the party.

Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima underscored the need for the APC to sustain its growing dominance across the country, warning that maintaining success requires discipline, cohesion and careful management of internal party democracy.

Shettima highlighted the party’s strength across the six geopolitical zones, pointing to the APC’s expanding influence in states governed by recent defectors.

“Your excellencies, Rome was not destroyed by outside invaders; Rome was destroyed by the complacency of the Romans.

“I wish to implore all of us to know that to succeed is much easier than to maintain that success.

“The whole of the South-South region is in the APC fold—the whole of the North Central.

“Out of the seven states in the Northwest, five are in the APC.

“Out of the six states in the Southwest, four are in the APC.

“Out of the six states in the Northeast, four are in the APC. Certainly, we have become a force of nature,” he said.

He cited Delta State as an example of the party’s growing influence, noting the presence of key political figures within the APC fold.

Shettima reassured governors who recently joined the ruling party that they had found a home in the APC and expressed optimism that the party would remain dominant beyond the 2027 general elections.

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