President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said he had assured the United States and European partners that his administration would implement state police to enhance security across Nigeria.
He made the disclosure during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on,” Tinubu said, noting that political reconciliation and internal party cohesion were responsibilities shared by leaders at all levels. He emphasised that flexibility and tolerance were essential for stability and progress.
The president drew attention to the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, urging APC leaders to support its implementation to strengthen grassroots governance. He stressed that autonomy would be meaningless without adequate funding, insisting that allocations meant for local governments must be paid directly to them.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” he said. Tinubu also appealed for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and participation, urging stakeholders to make provisions for their involvement.
Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima highlighted the need for the APC to sustain its growing dominance across the country. He warned that maintaining success requires discipline, cohesion, and careful management of internal party democracy. Shettima detailed the APC’s strength across the six geopolitical zones, noting the party’s expanding influence in states controlled by recent entrants and defectors.
“Rome was not destroyed by outside invaders; Rome was destroyed by the complacency of the Romans,” Shettima said, urging party leaders to remain vigilant. He reassured governors who recently joined the APC that they had found a home in the ruling party and expressed confidence that more politicians were eager to join, projecting that the APC would remain dominant beyond 2027.