President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed Nigeria’s 36 governors to ensure that local government allocations are handed over directly to local councils, in line with a Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.
Speaking at the 14th All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu stressed that true autonomy requires a funded mandate.
“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,” the President said.
He added that he had assured officials from the United States and the European Union that Nigeria would establish state police to enhance security. “They asked if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on, a party that will make it happen,” he said.
Tinubu further urged governors and party leaders to engage actively in their communities and adhere to the Supreme Court ruling on local government funding. He commiserated with the Bayelsa State government over the death of its deputy governor and called for the inclusion of more women in party structures.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted the party’s growing national acceptance, citing high-profile defections, an electronic membership registration drive, and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.
He described the caucus as his first major engagement since assuming office in July and thanked President Tinubu for his support. Yilwatda urged stakeholders to back the party’s expansion agenda ahead of congresses and the next national convention scheduled for March 2026.
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“The APC is consolidating structures nationwide through a membership drive, reflecting Tinubu’s visionary leadership and strengthening party cohesion,” Yilwatda said.
He listed notable defections from opposition parties, including Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas, and Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, emphasizing that the party now holds an “overwhelming majority” in both chambers of the National Assembly.
On party infrastructure, Yilwatda announced the activation of an electronic membership registration system to improve transparency and internal democracy. The drive, he said, would run through January, with January 30 as the registration deadline for members ahead of congresses.
He also noted that the party had secured land in Abuja’s Central Business District for a national secretariat, with architectural designs underway, thanks to President Tinubu’s support.
Yilwatda highlighted the APC’s electoral performance, noting an 80% success rate in recent by-elections and primaries, and briefed members on ongoing constitutional amendment efforts led by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
He urged governors in the North-East and South-West to identify host states for public hearings to ensure completion before the national convention. He also reminded members of preparations for FCT local government elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and called for united party action to secure victory across all councils.
The APC chairman reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Tinubu’s reform agenda, saying it was already delivering results in economic stabilization, infrastructure, and national security.
The caucus also brought together six governors who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, including Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas emphasized the need for collaborative leadership and respect for governors as state party leaders, highlighting the importance of giving every member equal opportunity in party affairs.
