President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to overhaul Nigeria’s security framework, declaring that the creation of state police is inevitable as the country confronts persistent insecurity. The president made this known during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held Thursday night in Abuja.
Tinubu’s remarks touched on three critical areas: state policing, party responsibility in security matters, and local government autonomy, signaling a strong policy direction aimed at strengthening governance and restoring public confidence.
State Police: A Security Reform Whose Time Has Come
Addressing APC leaders, the president said Nigeria can no longer rely solely on a highly centralised policing system to confront security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime. According to him, the federal government has engaged foreign partners on the issue, assuring them that Nigeria is committed to implementing state police as part of broader security reforms.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the ruling party has the political capacity to deliver the required constitutional amendments, citing the APC’s dominance in the National Assembly and control of a majority of states. He stressed that effective policing must reflect local realities and community knowledge, which state-level forces are better positioned to provide.
The president’s renewed push revives a long-standing national debate. While supporters argue that state police will improve response time and intelligence gathering, critics warn of possible misuse if strong legal and institutional safeguards are not established. Tinubu acknowledged these concerns but maintained that reform is unavoidable.
APC’s Role in National Security
Beyond federal policy, Tinubu challenged APC governors and party leaders to take greater responsibility for security within their domains. He urged leaders to show tolerance, flexibility, and commitment to inclusive governance, noting that leadership does not stop at the federal level but must be effective down to the grassroots.
He emphasized that party unity and responsible leadership are essential to stabilising the country, especially as Nigeria navigates economic pressures and social tensions.
Local Government Autonomy and Grassroots Governance
A major highlight of the address was Tinubu’s insistence on full implementation of local government financial autonomy, following a recent Supreme Court ruling. The judgment affirmed that funds allocated to local governments must be paid directly to them, rather than routed through state governments.
The president warned that autonomy without funding is meaningless and called on governors to comply fully with the ruling. He argued that empowered local councils are critical to development, service delivery, and community-level security, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
According to Tinubu, strengthening local governments will complement state policing by improving intelligence sharing and addressing security challenges before they escalate.
Implications for Nigeria
Tinubu’s position outlines a clear roadmap for governance reform:
- State Police: A major shift from centralised policing toward decentralised security management.
- Political Will: The APC’s legislative strength positions it to drive constitutional reforms.
- Grassroots Empowerment: Direct funding for local governments could enhance accountability, development, and security at the community level.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s remarks underscore an administration determined to pursue structural reforms in security and governance. As debates continue, the proposed introduction of state police and the enforcement of local government autonomy could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for stability, effective governance, and national cohesion.
