By SUNTV Global Channel
December 19, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to introduce state police across Nigeria, revealing that he has already assured partners in the United States and the European Union that the long-debated reform will be implemented to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity.
The President made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
According to Tinubu, the creation of state police “must happen” if Nigeria is to effectively confront security challenges and strengthen governance at the subnational level. He said discussions with foreign partners centred on Nigeria’s commitment to decentralised policing and political stability.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European partners. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass state police to improve security. They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes — because I have a party to depend on,” the President said.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the APC, as the ruling and majority party, would provide the political backing required to push through the reform, stressing that failure was not an option.
Beyond security, the President also took a firm stance on local government autonomy, insisting that it must go beyond paper declarations to real implementation. He urged state governors to stop withholding funds meant for local government councils, warning that autonomy without funding is meaningless.
His remarks come amid renewed pressure to enforce the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy and direct allocations to local governments.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. Give them their money directly. That is the truth, and that is compliance with the Supreme Court,” Tinubu insisted.
Addressing party leaders, the President called on the APC to show leadership at the grassroots through reconciliation, accommodation and flexibility. He stressed that governors and party stakeholders must take responsibility for political developments within their states and local councils.
Tinubu noted that internal cohesion within the party is crucial to delivering governance reforms, including state policing and effective local government administration.
“As the majority party, we are the leaders. Reconciliation and flexibility are in your hands,” he told APC leaders.
The President’s comments underscore growing momentum for state police as insecurity persists nationwide, while also highlighting the administration’s push to deepen grassroots governance through fully funded and autonomous local governments.
