President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to throw their weight behind ongoing efforts to establish state police and fully implement local government autonomy.
The President made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during the 14th meeting of the APC National Caucus, against the backdrop of worsening security challenges across the country.
Tinubu urged governors to respect and enforce the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local government councils, stressing that council allocations must be paid directly to them rather than routed through state governments.
He said the judgment would be meaningless without practical compliance.
He also directed the Minister of Interior to collaborate with the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to replace police personnel affected in recent deployments with NSCDC operatives.
In addition, the President called for increased female representation within the APC National Caucus, noting that broader inclusion would strengthen the party and promote gender balance.
Meanwhile, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yelwata, announced the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.
Yelwata said the development effectively places the entire North-Central region under APC leadership.
Mutfwang was elected on the platform of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, making his defection one of the most notable political shifts in recent months.
As part of efforts to expand and strengthen the party, the APC also launched a nationwide electronic membership registration exercise.
Yelwata disclosed that all party members have until January 30, 2026, to complete the process.
He explained that the digital registration system, which has already commenced, is aimed at improving transparency, data accuracy and internal democracy within the party.
Party members, both old and new, were urged to register themselves and their supporters ahead of future congresses.
The APC leadership expressed confidence that the exercise would position the party for upcoming political activities and further consolidate its growing membership nationwide.
