••• Implement LG Autonomy or Lose FAAC Allocations

President Bola Tinubu has warned that his administration may slash statutory allocations to states that fail to implement financial autonomy for local government councils, as directed by the Supreme Court.

The President issued the warning on Friday night while addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to enforcing the Supreme Court judgment, which mandates direct allocation of funds to local governments, stressing that continued resistance by state governors would no longer be tolerated.

“The Supreme Court has said, ‘give them their money directly.’ If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it,” the President said.

“I’m being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, FAAC after FAAC, you will see your allocation dwindling.”

The President described local government autonomy as a constitutional necessity for grassroots development, warning that deliberate delays undermine democracy and the rule of law.

While urging governors to comply voluntarily, Tinubu made it clear that the Federal Government would not hesitate to act decisively to ensure obedience to the court’s ruling.

Beyond the autonomy debate, the President called for unity and tolerance within the APC, reminding party leaders that inclusive politics and internal cohesion are essential for sustaining democracy.

“We must continue to be resolute that this democracy must not fail. We are bigger and larger, but we must also be accommodating. That is the only way we can be resilient,” he said.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his support for the creation of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity, urging the National Assembly to engage the Inspector-General of Police on safeguards against abuse.

He further backed initiatives to increase women’s participation in elective offices and cautioned lawmakers against centralising lottery regulation, insisting that lottery matters fall within the constitutional jurisdiction of state governments.

In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s leadership, describing any attempt to undermine his political standing ahead of the 2027 elections as unrealistic.

“Politics rewards memory. We must acknowledge the singular role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building the culture of opposition that brought us here,” Shettima said.

APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, announced plans for nationwide electronic registration of party members, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, commended the President for what they described as bold and strategic economic reforms.