Tinubu Assures US, EU on State Police, Urges APC Unity

President Bola Tinubu has assured the United States and the European Union that Nigeria will establish a state police system as part of renewed efforts to tackle the country’s persistent security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across several regions.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at the 14th All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, against the backdrop of growing national debate over the need to decentralise policing in Nigeria.

For years, calls for the creation of state police have intensified, particularly from state governments and security experts, who argue that the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and ill-equipped to effectively police the country’s vast and diverse population. Proponents say state police would enhance intelligence gathering, improve response time and strengthen community-based security, while critics have expressed concerns about possible abuse by state authorities.

Addressing party leaders, Tinubu disclosed that he had extensive discussions with leaders of the US and Europe, during which he expressed confidence that the proposed state police initiative would be successfully implemented under his administration.

“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I told them clearly that we will pass state police to improve security,” he said. “They asked me if I was confident, and I said yes, because I have a party to depend on—a party that will make it happen.”

The President stressed that achieving such a major constitutional reform would require unity, reconciliation and flexibility among party leaders, noting that the APC, as the majority party at the federal level and in many states, bears a significant responsibility in driving the process through the National Assembly.

He urged governors and party leaders to be more involved in governance at all levels, particularly at the grassroots, where insecurity and governance gaps are often most severe.

“You must continue to promote tolerance, reconciliation and flexibility, and get involved in what is happening in your states down to the local government level,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu also used the occasion to reference a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening grassroots governance and development. He called on governors and party leaders to ensure full compliance with the ruling.

According to him, true autonomy for local governments cannot exist without direct access to funds, stressing that financial independence is essential for effective service delivery and local security initiatives.

“To me, local government autonomy must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” the President stated. “We will give them their money directly. That is compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.”

The President concluded by urging party leaders to take governance and leadership responsibilities seriously, warning that failure to act decisively on security and governance reforms would be unacceptable.

“We will not fail, God forbid,” Tinubu said. “The responsibility is in your hands, and we must rise to it.”