President Bola Tinubu has called on governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, insisting that council allocations must be released directly to local governments without interference.
Tinubu made the appeal on Thursday night during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, where party leaders gathered to review key governance and political issues.
The high-level meeting, the first under the party’s new National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, was attended by members of the National Working Committee, APC governors and top national figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
Addressing the caucus, the President stressed that the Supreme Court’s position on local government autonomy must be respected, noting that direct allocation to councils is critical to deepening democracy, improving grassroots governance and ensuring development reaches the people at the community level.
Tinubu warned against any practices that undermine the financial independence of local governments, urging governors to align with the apex court’s ruling in both letter and spirit.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the introduction of state police, describing it as part of a broader strategy to tackle insecurity and strengthen internal security architecture across the country.
Beyond governance, the President called for unity within the party, urging leaders to embrace reconciliation, intensify grassroots engagement and broaden participation in party structures.
He particularly emphasised the need for greater female representation in leadership positions within the APC.
The caucus meeting also underscored the party’s shifting political landscape, as several recently defected opposition figures and governors attended their first APC National Caucus session, reflecting ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s political space.
Vice President Kashim Shettima joined the President at the meeting, which served as a platform for reinforcing party cohesion while aligning APC leaders behind key policy directions of the Tinubu administration.
