President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to the thirty-six state governors across Nigeria, mandating them to comply with the recent Supreme Court judgement by handing over financial allocations directly to local government areas.
Directive on Local Government Autonomy
The President made this significant announcement during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, December 18. He emphasized that true autonomy for the third tier of government cannot be achieved without a funded mandate.
"To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without funded mandate, we will give them their money directly," President Tinubu stated unequivocally. He described this action as the essential compliance with the Supreme Court's landmark ruling.
Confidence in Establishing State Police
During the same high-level party meeting, President Tinubu also revealed discussions he had with international partners regarding Nigeria's security architecture. He disclosed that he had assured representatives of the United States and the European Union of his administration's commitment to establishing state police as a measure to tackle the nation's multifaceted insecurity challenges.
"I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I was bragging to tell that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security," the President recounted. When questioned about his confidence in achieving this reform, Tinubu pointed to the strength of his party, saying, "I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen."
A Call for Flexibility and Grassroots Involvement
Beyond the major policy pronouncements, President Tinubu used the platform to advise governors and other party leaders on their approach to governance and political leadership. He urged them to be more accommodating and flexible in their actions.
He stressed the importance of leaders being deeply involved in activities within their domains, from the state level down to the grassroots in rural communities. "You must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible, get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to local government level," he counseled.
The President framed the Supreme Court's decision on local government autonomy as an opportunity for the party and the country. "Let us equally look at the recent supreme court judgment. What can we do with it? And how well we can position our country and our party," he posited, ending his address with a charge to "Take leadership seriously."
