By DAYO ADESULU
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his firm commitment to the establishment of state police across Nigeria, declaring that he has personally assured partners in the United States and the European Union that the long-debated reform will be implemented to confront the country’s worsening insecurity.
The President made this 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 in Abuja. According to him, the move towards state policing is no longer optional but necessary for national stability, effective governance, and grassroots security.
State Police “Must Happen,” Tinubu Insists
Speaking with unusual candour, Tinubu said the creation of state police “must happen” if Nigeria is to successfully address persistent security threats ranging from banditry and kidnapping to insurgency and violent communal conflicts.
He revealed that during recent engagements with foreign partners, he expressed confidence that Nigeria would decentralise its policing system, stressing that the APC’s dominance at the federal and state levels provides the political backbone needed to deliver the reform.
“I had a very long discussion with U.S. and European partners. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security,” Tinubu told party leaders. “They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen.”
The President’s remarks underscore renewed momentum around Tinubu state police reform, a policy that has enjoyed growing public support but faced resistance over constitutional, political, and funding concerns in the past.
Insecurity Drives Renewed Push for Decentralised Policing
Tinubu’s comments come amid rising insecurity across many parts of the country, with several states battling armed banditry, terrorist attacks, and organised crime. Critics of the current centralised policing structure argue that a one-size-fits-all approach has proven ineffective in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria.
Supporters of state police maintain that local forces, familiar with terrain, language, and community dynamics, would respond faster to threats and improve intelligence gathering. Tinubu appeared to align with this thinking, presenting state policing as part of a broader effort to strengthen governance at the subnational level.
While acknowledging that the reform will require political discipline and consensus-building, the President expressed confidence that the APC would rise to the challenge.
“And if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail,” he said, drawing applause from party faithful.
Tinubu Demands Full Implementation of Local Government Autonomy
Beyond security, Tinubu used the occasion to address another sensitive issue: local government autonomy. He insisted that the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils must be implemented fully and honestly.
The President criticised governors who withhold funds meant for local councils, warning that autonomy without direct funding is meaningless.
“To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective,” Tinubu said. “There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly.”
He stressed that allocations meant for local governments should go straight to them, in line with the apex court’s ruling, describing compliance as both a legal and moral obligation.
“That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” he added firmly.
Call for APC Reconciliation and Grassroots Leadership
Addressing internal party matters, Tinubu urged APC leaders to embrace reconciliation, accommodation, and flexibility, particularly at the grassroots. He said the party’s status as the majority political force in the country comes with responsibility, not entitlement.
According to him, political stability and effective governance depend on leaders taking ownership of developments in their states and local councils, rather than shifting blame to the centre.
“The reconciliation, the accommodation, the flexibility, is in your hand, all of you,” the President told governors and party executives. “We are the majority. We are the leaders.”
He argued that tolerance and internal cohesion are essential if the party is to deliver on sensitive reforms such as state police and local government autonomy.
Supreme Court Judgment Seen as Opportunity, Not Threat
Tinubu also framed the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy as an opportunity to reposition both the country and the APC, rather than a threat to state authority.
“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. What can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?” he asked.
By linking judicial compliance with political reform, Tinubu signalled that his administration intends to pursue institutional strengthening through constitutional means, even when such decisions challenge entrenched political interests.
What Tinubu’s Remarks Mean Going Forward
The President’s open assurance to international partners has added fresh urgency to debates around Tinubu state police reform. Analysts say his comments place pressure on the National Assembly, state governments, and party leaders to move beyond rhetoric and begin the difficult work of constitutional amendments, funding frameworks, and safeguards against abuse.
While concerns remain about possible misuse of state police by governors, Tinubu’s emphasis on party discipline, reconciliation, and rule of law suggests an attempt to balance decentralisation with accountability.
As insecurity continues to test Nigeria’s resilience, the coming months will reveal whether this renewed political will translates into concrete legislative and institutional action.
For many Nigerians, the message from the Presidency is clear: the era of endless debate may be giving way to decisive reform.
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