President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to support the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, stressing that direct funding of councils is essential for effective grassroots governance.
The president made the appeal on Thursday night while addressing governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s caucus meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu said his administration is committed to enforcing the apex court’s ruling on local government autonomy and urged governors to focus on practical steps that would translate the judgment into meaningful governance outcomes.
Referring to the ruling, the president asked governors to reflect on how best to implement it in a way that strengthens the country and the ruling party. He emphasised that autonomy for local governments cannot exist without guaranteed access to funds.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” Tinubu said, adding that direct allocation of funds to local governments is the clearest way to comply with the Supreme Court judgment.
He described direct funding of councils as non-negotiable, noting that financial independence is critical for local governments to function effectively and deliver services to citizens.
The president also urged governors to take an active leadership role in developments within their states, down to the local government level, and to remain flexible in navigating political and governance challenges.
In the same address, Tinubu expressed confidence that his administration would secure the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to improve national security. He disclosed that he had discussed the issue with leaders from the United States and Europe, assuring them of his belief that state policing would be achieved with the backing of his party.
