President Bola Tinubu has warned that his administration will strictly enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, insisting that funds meant for councils must be paid directly into their accounts without interference from state governments.
Speaking on Friday night at the 15th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, the President said governors must comply with the ruling or face decisive federal action.
“The Supreme Court has capped it clearly, give them their money directly,” Tinubu declared. “Do not wait for my Executive Order. I have the knife and I have the yam, and I will cut it. I am being very respectful and understanding with my governors, but FAAC after FAAC, we will enforce compliance.”
President Tinubu stressed that the July 11, 2024 judgment of the apex court, which outlawed the control or withholding of local government funds by state governments, must be obeyed.
In its unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court ordered direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to local councils, effectively dismantling the long-standing joint account system.
Beyond local government autonomy, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the creation of state police as a constitutional response to Nigeria’s security challenges.
He directed the National Assembly to summon the Inspector-General of Police and begin work on constitutional amendments and safeguards to prevent abuse.
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“We are going for state police,” Tinubu said. “We will deploy forest rangers. We will defeat terrorists and bandits. We must.”
The President also described the APC as the largest and fastest-growing political party on the African continent, noting that it now controls 28 states and enjoys growing international recognition.
“This is not self-acclaimed. It is internationally acknowledged,” he said. “The world is watching us. Democracy is a must, and Nigeria is the heart of the continent. What you represent here matters beyond our borders.”
Despite the vote of confidence expressed by party leaders and governors, Tinubu cautioned against complacency. “Our job is not done,” he said. “We must continue to remind ourselves what the data means.”
Reflecting on the difficulties preceding the 2023 elections, the President recalled the economic hardship caused by the naira redesign policy and fuel scarcity, describing them as painful but defining moments.
“There was a wild bush fire the currency redesign, queues at filling stations, people unable to eat one meal a day, just for one election,” he said, attributing the party’s eventual victory to faith and perseverance. “God brought us here. I am a symbol of that grace.”
President Tinubu urged party leaders to remain tolerant and inclusive, warning that the APC’s size comes with a greater burden of responsibility.
“Yes, we are bigger, larger and taller, but we must be accommodating,” he said. “We are all in one vehicle, and we must drive it gently and carefully.”
He charged the party to strengthen its structures at the state, local government and ward levels, especially in states not currently controlled by the APC, noting that strong grassroots organisation is essential for producing future governors.
On party administration, Tinubu emphasised the importance of credible electronic registration, warning officials against shutting out new members. “If you fail in leadership, we will take it away and do it properly,” he cautioned.
The President also commended Niger State for promoting women into leadership positions at both the state and local government levels and urged other states to emulate the model.
He reaffirmed support for constitutional amendments aimed at expanding women’s inclusion.
However, Tinubu rejected federal involvement in lottery regulation, insisting it remains a residual matter under state jurisdiction. “I am a constitutional democrat,” he said, urging lawmakers to respect constitutional boundaries.
In his address, the Vice President paid tribute to the founding figures and elders of the party, including Chief Olusegun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande and former Senate Presidents, noting their enduring commitment to the APC.
He described President Tinubu as the architect of Nigeria’s modern opposition politics, saying democracy survived because one man refused to surrender political space when it was dangerous to do so.
The Vice President traced the APC’s electoral journey from winning 21 states in 2015, retaining power with 19 states in 2019, to securing the presidency in 2023 despite governing only 12 states at the time.
He said the party’s current control of 28 states reflected growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
“People do not defect because of slogans,” he said. “They defect because they trust judgment, courage and competence.”
Looking ahead to 2027, he said the election would not be a gamble but a responsibility, stressing that elections are won through coalition-building, credibility, and conviction, not noise or nostalgia.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
