WHAT I TOLD US, EUROPEAN PARTNERS ON STATE POLICE- TINUBU

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday stated that he has promised the United States and European allies that his government will introduce state police to increase security in Nigeria.

He made this statement during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

The president mentioned he had a long talk with the United States and European partners and promised that state police would help make security better.

“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes, I have a party to depend on,” he said.

He said that the responsibility for political reconciliation and internal party cohesion rested with leaders at all levels.

The president said flexibility and tolerance were essential for stability and progress.

Tinubu, who drew attention to the recent Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy, urged APC leaders to support its implementation to strengthen grassroots governance.

According to him, autonomy will be meaningless if councils are not adequately funded.

He insisted that allocations meant for local governments must go directly to them.

“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgement; what can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?

“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly.

”That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” he said.

The president further urged party leaders to take leadership “seriously”, noting that strong governance at the local level would help stabilise communities.

Tinubu also appealed for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and participation, urging stakeholders to make provisions that would bring more women into the fold.

Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasised the need for the APC to sustain its growing dominance across the country.

Shettima said that keeping up success needs discipline, teamwork, and careful handling of internal party decisions.

The vice–president pointed out the APC’s strength in all six major regions, noting how the party is growing in areas where new members and people who left other parties are now involved.

He said, “Your excellencies, Rome wasn’t destroyed by enemies from outside; Rome fell because its people became too relaxed and stopped working hard.”