President Tinubu Issues Final Warning to Governors Over Local Government Autonomy, Asks Them to Support State Police
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a final warning to Nigeria’s 36 state governors, directing them to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils or risk the issuance of an Executive Order to enforce compliance.
Speaking at the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Tinubu said the court’s ruling must be respected and acted upon without delay.
Tinubu reminded governors that last year’s Supreme Court ruling declared it unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds allocated to the third tier of government and mandated that allocations be paid directly to individual local government accounts.
“The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying give them their money directly,” the president said, emphasizing that autonomy without direct access to funds is meaningless.
The president stopped short of immediately issuing the Executive Order, instead urging governors to comply voluntarily. However, he made it clear that the federal executive has the tools to enforce direct funding — including taking deductions at source during Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements — if state authorities continue to withhold council funds.
Tinubu said he has been “respectful and understanding” with governors, but that patience should not be mistaken for inaction.
Tinubu used the platform not only to press for local government autonomy but also to reinforce party unity around his broader governance agenda, including backing for proposed state police reforms and deeper engagement with grassroots constituencies.
President Tinubu Issues Final Warning to Governors Over Local Government Autonomy, Asks Them to Support State Police
Byadmin
Dec 20, 2025