President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his firm belief in the imminent establishment of state police in Nigeria, declaring his confidence in the reform as a key measure to enhance national security amid persistent challenges like banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.
Speaking on Thursday night at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, President Tinubu told APC governors and senior party leaders that he had personally assured international partners of the initiative's success.
"I had a very long discussion with the US and European leaders. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security," Tinubu said.
"They asked me if I’m confident, and I said, ‘Yes, I have a party to depend on.’"The President emphasised the ruling APC's majority in the National Assembly and its control over 28 states as critical leverage to drive the constitutional amendment required for state policing.
He stressed that the party must demonstrate leadership through flexibility, accommodation, and active engagement at all levels, particularly urging governors to extend oversight down to local governments.
Tinubu also insisted on full implementation of the Supreme Court's recent judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, stating: "To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court."
The meeting, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and several governors, including recent defectors from opposition partie served as a platform to reinforce party unity ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) gathering.
Vice President Shettima highlighted the APC's expanding dominance, noting its hold over most geopolitical zones and projecting optimism for the 2027 elections.
APC Chairman Yilwatda praised ongoing membership drives and defections, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, speaking for the Progressive Governors' Forum, commended Tinubu's reforms for boosting investor confidence.
The President's remarks on state police come amid heightened national debate on decentralised security architecture, with proponents arguing it would enable faster, community-tailored responses to crimes.
Critics, however, express concerns over potential abuse by state executives.Analysts see Tinubu's public commitment backed by assurances to foreign allies as a signal of accelerated legislative action in the coming months, potentially paving the way for multi-level policing before the next general elections.
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