By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said that he had assured the United States and European partners that his administration would implement state police to boost security in Nigeria.

He said this during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The president said he had a very long discussion with the country’s United States and European partners and assured them that state police would be used to improve security.

“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 judgment on local government autonomy, urged APC leaders to support its implementation to strengthen grassroots governance.

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

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

“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgment, 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 warned that maintaining success requires discipline, cohesion and careful management of internal party democracy.

The vice-president highlighted the APC’s strength across the six geopolitical zones, drawing attention to the expanding influence in states controlled by new entrants and defectors.

“Your excellencies, Rome was not destroyed by outside invaders, Rome was destroyed by the complacency of the Romans.

“I wish to implore all of us to know that to succeed is much easier than to maintain that success.

“The whole of the South-South region is in the APC fold—the whole of the North Central.

“Out of the seven states in the North West, five are in the APC.

“Out of the six states in the South West, four are in the APC.

“Out of the six states in the North East, four are in the APC. Certainly, we have become a force of nature.

“I can get one state from the South South for instance and discuss.

“Who are the power brokers in Delta state for instance besides Gov. Sheriff.

“We have the immediate vice presidential candidate of the sinking ship called PDP, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa within our fold.

“And with Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy President of the Senate; for God’s sake how do you expect us to lose in Delta?

“And I can recreate the same thing in every state of the federation,” Shettima said.

He reassured governors who recently joined the APC that they had found a home in the ruling party.

Shettima also expressed delight that more politicians were eager to join the party, projecting that the ruling party would remain dominant beyond 2027. (NAN)

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