President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday issued a stern warning to Nigeria’s 36 state governors, declaring that he would not hesitate to wield the “big stick” against any state that frustrates the financial autonomy of local government councils, as granted by the Supreme Court.
Speaking at the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President expressed concern that some governors remain unwilling to fully implement the landmark ruling guaranteeing financial independence for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
Tinubu stated unequivocally that he was prepared to issue an Executive Order to enforce compliance if necessary, stressing that respect for the Supreme Court’s judgment was non-negotiable.
“Now that you have elections at the local government level, you are the invigilators. You elected them, and since you elected them, you must let them work. Give them their money. If you don’t do it, I can issue the Executive Order because I have the yam and the knife,” the President said. “The ultimate authority is the Supreme Court, and its judgment must be respected.”
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing state police and strengthening security nationwide through the deployment of forest rangers, vowing to end the reign of terrorists across the country.
“We are going for state police, and we will do the forest rangers. We must defeat the terrorists,” he declared.
Reflecting on his emergence as President in 2023, Tinubu described himself as a product of divine will, urging party members to remain introspective, prayerful, and resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“God brought us here. Without God, I wouldn’t be here. This democracy we hold in our hands must not fail,” he said, charging NEC members to remain tolerant, inclusive, and committed to expanding the party’s reach, particularly in states not governed by the APC.
On the party’s ongoing e-registration exercise, Tinubu cautioned against shutting out prospective members, warning that the party leadership would intervene if the process was abused. He also disclosed that he would withhold assent from the proposed Central Gaming Bill 2025, currently before the National Assembly, describing it as unconstitutional since it falls under the residual legislative list.
Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima dismissed any suggestion of a serious challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, stating that elections are not won on social media but through credibility, coalitions, and conviction.
“Only a fool hell-bent on a suicidal path or an outright imposter can dare to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027,” Shettima said, adding that the 2027 elections represent a responsibility, not a gamble.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, moved a motion for a vote of confidence in the President, praising his administration’s achievements, including improvements in security, stabilisation of petrol prices, easing inflation, declining food prices, and growth in foreign reserves.
“Our job is to take the message of improved economic performance to the last man on the street,” Uzodinma said, urging continued support for the President. The motion was seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, called for internal discipline within the APC, warning that unchecked expansion could lead to fragmentation. He stressed the importance of unity, respect for party organs, and institutional discipline.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured the President that the National Assembly would fast-track electoral reforms ahead of party primaries, while also cautioning against internal implosion within the party due to its growing size.
“We have implicit confidence in you, Mr President. We won’t fail you, and we won’t fail our party,” Akpabio said.
