President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to establishing state police across Nigeria, saying he has assured partners in the United States and Europe that the reform would be implemented to tackle the country’s security challenges.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. He said the creation of state police “must happen” as part of broader efforts to improve security and strengthen governance at the subnational level.
The President also stressed the need to make local government autonomy effective in practice, urging state governors to stop withholding funds meant for local government councils. He said allocations intended for councils must be paid to them directly, in line with the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments.
His comments come amid worsening insecurity nationwide and renewed calls for decentralised policing, as well as pressure to fully implement the Supreme Court ruling on local government finances.
Addressing party leaders, Tinubu urged the APC, as the majority party, to demonstrate leadership through reconciliation, accommodation and flexibility at the grassroots. He called on governors and other stakeholders to take responsibility for developments within their states and local councils.
The President said he had recently engaged foreign partners and expressed confidence that the APC would provide the political backing needed to pass state police reforms.
“I had a very long discussion with the U.S. and European partners. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass state police to improve security,” Tinubu said. “They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on.”
He added that party leaders at all levels must prioritise internal cohesion and reconciliation to ensure stability and progress, while urging support for the implementation of local government autonomy to strengthen grassroots governance.
