President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a definitive stance on one of Nigeria's most debated security issues, announcing a firm commitment to establish state police across the nation. The President made this declaration during a high-level meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu's Firm Assurance on Decentralised Policing
Addressing governors elected on the APC platform at the party's national caucus meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night, President Tinubu argued that decentralised policing is a vital solution to the country's escalating security challenges. He expressed strong confidence that the necessary legal and political frameworks would be established to make state police a reality.
The President revealed that he had recently discussed this reform during high-level engagements with leaders from the United States and Europe. He presented the state police proposal as a core component of Nigeria's broader security overhaul. According to Tinubu, these foreign leaders questioned whether his administration possessed the necessary political backing to implement such a sensitive change.
"I had a very long discussion with the US and European leaders. I told them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security," President Tinubu stated. "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," he added, highlighting the APC's role in driving the reform.
Reaffirming Commitment to Local Government Autonomy
Beyond the state police agenda, President Tinubu used the forum to strongly reaffirm his administration's dedication to enforcing full local government autonomy. He stressed that councils must receive their allocated funds directly from the federation account, in strict compliance with a recent Supreme Court judgment.
"To me, local government autonomy must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We give them their money directly. That is compliance with the Supreme Court," the President asserted.
He urged the APC governors to ensure their leadership and governance responsibilities extend beyond state capitals down to the grassroots level. Tinubu warned that national development and security efforts would only succeed if local governments are empowered and functional.
APC Leadership Backs President's Security Agenda
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was present at the caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, assured President Tinubu of the party's full support in tackling the nation's security challenges. Akpabio commended the President for securing the release of over 100 recently kidnapped children and prayed for the safe return of those still in captivity.
Akpabio also disclosed that the National Assembly is taking decisive legislative action to strengthen security. Lawmakers are advancing a bill to classify kidnapping as a terrorism offence, a move that would attract the death penalty upon presidential assent.
In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, noted the party's growing national appeal, citing recent high-profile defections and internal reforms. He attributed this expansion to Tinubu's leadership and announced the activation of a new electronic membership registration system, with a deadline set for January 30 for members to register ahead of upcoming party congresses.
The President's clear message on state police marks a significant step in a long-standing national debate, signaling a potential major restructuring of Nigeria's security architecture in the face of persistent threats.
