Tinubu urges governors to comply with Supreme Court ruling on LG funds
President Bola Tinubu has directed the 36 state governors to comply fully with the Supreme Court judgment by ensuring that local government allocations are paid directly to local councils.
The President gave the directive on Thursday while speaking at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. He stressed that genuine local government autonomy cannot exist without a funded mandate.
According to him, local councils must receive their statutory allocations directly in line with the apex court’s ruling, adding that compliance is not optional. Tinubu said effective grassroots governance requires financial independence for local governments.
The President also disclosed that he had assured leaders of the United States and the European Union of Nigeria’s readiness to establish state police as part of efforts to address the country’s security challenges. He expressed confidence that the APC would provide the political support needed to pass the required legislation.
Tinubu urged governors and party leaders to be flexible, tolerant and actively involved in governance at all levels, including rural communities. He said reconciliation, accommodation and collective leadership were essential for the success of the party and the country.
The President further called for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and caucus activities, urging stakeholders to make deliberate efforts to expand women’s participation.
He also commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa State over the death of the deputy governor and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party was witnessing increased national acceptance, citing recent defections, an electronic membership registration drive and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.
Yilwatda described the meeting as his first National Caucus engagement since assuming office in July and thanked President Tinubu for his support. He urged party leaders to rally behind the APC’s expansion agenda ahead of forthcoming congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 2026.
He said the party was consolidating its structures nationwide through a digital membership registration system designed to improve transparency, data management and internal democracy. According to him, the registration exercise would run through January, with January 30 set as the deadline.
The APC chairman also announced that land had been secured in Abuja’s Central Business District for a new national secretariat, with architectural designs already underway.
On electoral performance, Yilwatda said the party recorded major successes in recent by-elections, winning 14 out of 17 contested seats. He added that the APC currently enjoys a strong majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.
He highlighted ongoing constitutional amendment efforts within the party, noting that public hearings had been held in four geopolitical zones, with the remaining two expected to conclude the process ahead of the next national convention.
Yilwatda also briefed members on preparations for the February 21, 2026 local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory, saying the party was mobilising for victory across the six area councils.
The APC National Caucus meeting brought together the President, Vice President, national officers, governors and key stakeholders to deliberate on political and organisational issues. Several governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party who recently defected to the APC were also in attendance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the need for unity and cooperation within the party, noting that governors remain key leaders of the APC in their respective states.
