President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism that Nigeria will successfully establish state police as part of efforts to curb insecurity.
The president made the remarks on Thursday night during an interaction with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a caucus meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu stated that the idea of state police featured prominently in recent conversations he held with leaders from the United States and Europe.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European leaders. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security,” he said.
He explained that the foreign leaders sought assurances about political backing for the proposal, which he said his party would provide.
“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,” the president remarked.
The president also turned attention to the supreme court ruling granting financial independence to local governments, calling on governors to ensure its practical execution.
“Let us equally look at the recent supreme court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?” he asked.
Tinubu argued that autonomy for local councils would be meaningless without unhindered access to funds.
“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” he said.
“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the supreme court.”
He further encouraged APC governors to embrace inclusive leadership by staying connected to political and administrative developments within their states.
“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” Tinubu said.
The president maintained that governors must demonstrate seriousness in governance, noting that direct funding of local councils remains essential for their genuine independence.