By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu has directed the 36 state governors to ensure that allocations meant for local governments are released directly to the councils, in line with the recent Supreme Court judgment.
He stressed that genuine local government autonomy cannot exist without proper funding, insisting that councils must have direct access to their statutory allocations to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The President spoke at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where he also revealed that he had given assurances to the United States and the European Union that Nigeria would adopt state policing as part of efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
Tinubu urged governors and party leaders to show flexibility in governance and party management, while remaining actively involved in developments at all levels, particularly within rural communities.
He said: “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.
“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. They asked me if I’m confident, and I say, 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. I think the reconciliation, the accommodation, the flexibility, is in your hand, all of you, and we are the majority. We are the leaders.
“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.
“To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without without funded mandate, we will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously.”
The President also commiserated with the Bayelsa State Government over the death of its deputy governor, praying for the repose of his soul. In addition, he called for greater inclusion of women in the party’s caucus, urging leaders to make deliberate provisions to accommodate more women.
Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the party as enjoying growing national acceptance, pointing to recent high-profile defections, the introduction of an electronic membership registration system and plans to build a new national secretariat in Abuja.
Yilwatda noted that the caucus meeting was his first since assuming office as national chairman in July. He thanked President Tinubu for his support and appealed to party stakeholders to support the APC’s expansion drive ahead of forthcoming congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 2026.
He said the party was strengthening its structures nationwide through a comprehensive membership drive, attributing improved cohesion and public confidence to the President’s leadership.
According to him, several governors and prominent political figures have recently joined the APC, adding that the party now holds what he described as an “overwhelming majority” in both chambers of the National Assembly.
Yilwatda said, “Recent political development underscored APC’s pan-Nigerian character, including significant defections that have further expanded our influence, particularly several high profile individuals and groups who have defected to our party, especially from the opposition parties.”
He also announced the activation of an electronic membership registration platform, describing it as a major organisational milestone that would enhance transparency, data integrity and internal democracy within the party.
The APC National Caucus meeting is a strategic gathering of the party’s top leadership, usually attended by the President, Vice President, national chairman, members of the National Working Committee, APC governors and other key stakeholders. The forum is used to align political and organisational strategies ahead of broader deliberations at the National Executive Committee.
In a notable development, six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who recently defected to the APC, were present at the meeting. They include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also addressed the caucus, emphasising the need for unity, cooperation and equal opportunity for all members.
Akpabio noted that governors are leaders of the party in their respective states and should be accorded the necessary respect.