Crime/Social Justice
Tinubu pushes for state police, LG autonomy at APC caucus meeting
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
19 Dec 2025 03:41 AM
Abuja, FCT – In a bold move to address Nigeria's escalating security challenges and strengthen grassroots governance, President Bola Tinubu has called on governors, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, and stakeholders to support the establishment of state police and the strict implementation of local government (LG) autonomy.
The announcement came during the 14th APC National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, December 18, 2025, where Tinubu emphasized that these reforms are essential for improving internal security and decentralizing power.
Tinubu, speaking to party chieftains including newly defected governors from opposition parties, expressed confidence in passing a state police bill, revealing he had assured U.S. and European partners of its implementation during recent discussions.
"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," Tinubu stated.
Tinubu added, "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."
He argued that state police "must happen" to tackle rising insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, which Senate President Godswill Akpabio described as "organised and orchestrated" efforts to torment the nation.
On local government autonomy, Tinubu insisted on full compliance with the Supreme Court's recent judgment, which mandates direct allocation of funds to LG councils without state interference.
"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," he urged, criticizing governors for allegedly withholding or diverting funds through joint accounts, a practice long blamed for stunting grassroots development.
This call builds on a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier in 2025 that affirmed LG financial independence, amid ongoing disputes between states and the federal government.
The meeting, the first under APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda since his July 2025 appointment, highlighted the party's expansion.
Yilwatda announced high-profile defections, including Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), many from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
With Mutfwang's switch, the APC now controls the entire North Central region, bolstering its dominance ahead of 2027 elections.
Tinubu also advocated for greater women's inclusion in party structures for gender balance and offered condolences to Bayelsa following the deputy governor's death.
Nigeria's centralized policing system has faced criticism amid surging insecurity, with banditry in the North West, Boko Haram remnants in the North East, and farmer-herder clashes nationwide prompting repeated calls for state police since the 1999 Constitution's return to democracy.
Tinubu has championed this since at least September 2025, declaring it "unavoidable" for decentralization.
In November 2025, he urged the National Assembly to amend laws allowing willing states to establish their own forces, a proposal now gaining traction.
LG autonomy, meanwhile, stems from a July 2025 Supreme Court decision ending state control over council funds, but enforcement has been uneven, with some governors accused of resistance.
Opposition voices fear potential misuse by governors, echoing long-standing debates that have stalled similar bills in the National Assembly.
The APC's National Executive Committee reconvenes Friday, December 19, for further deliberations. If advanced, these reforms could mark a significant shift toward true federalism, though implementation hurdles including legislative approval and funding remain.
Analysts suggest Lagos may lead in adopting state police, while resistance from power brokers in states like Rivers could complicate rollout.
The announcement came during the 14th APC National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, December 18, 2025, where Tinubu emphasized that these reforms are essential for improving internal security and decentralizing power.
Tinubu, speaking to party chieftains including newly defected governors from opposition parties, expressed confidence in passing a state police bill, revealing he had assured U.S. and European partners of its implementation during recent discussions.
"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," Tinubu stated.
Tinubu added, "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."
He argued that state police "must happen" to tackle rising insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, which Senate President Godswill Akpabio described as "organised and orchestrated" efforts to torment the nation.
On local government autonomy, Tinubu insisted on full compliance with the Supreme Court's recent judgment, which mandates direct allocation of funds to LG councils without state interference.
"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," he urged, criticizing governors for allegedly withholding or diverting funds through joint accounts, a practice long blamed for stunting grassroots development.
This call builds on a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier in 2025 that affirmed LG financial independence, amid ongoing disputes between states and the federal government.
The meeting, the first under APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda since his July 2025 appointment, highlighted the party's expansion.
Yilwatda announced high-profile defections, including Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), many from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
With Mutfwang's switch, the APC now controls the entire North Central region, bolstering its dominance ahead of 2027 elections.
Tinubu also advocated for greater women's inclusion in party structures for gender balance and offered condolences to Bayelsa following the deputy governor's death.
Nigeria's centralized policing system has faced criticism amid surging insecurity, with banditry in the North West, Boko Haram remnants in the North East, and farmer-herder clashes nationwide prompting repeated calls for state police since the 1999 Constitution's return to democracy.
Tinubu has championed this since at least September 2025, declaring it "unavoidable" for decentralization.
In November 2025, he urged the National Assembly to amend laws allowing willing states to establish their own forces, a proposal now gaining traction.
LG autonomy, meanwhile, stems from a July 2025 Supreme Court decision ending state control over council funds, but enforcement has been uneven, with some governors accused of resistance.
Opposition voices fear potential misuse by governors, echoing long-standing debates that have stalled similar bills in the National Assembly.
The APC's National Executive Committee reconvenes Friday, December 19, for further deliberations. If advanced, these reforms could mark a significant shift toward true federalism, though implementation hurdles including legislative approval and funding remain.
Analysts suggest Lagos may lead in adopting state police, while resistance from power brokers in states like Rivers could complicate rollout.
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