By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has issued a direct instruction to state governors to ensure immediate compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Area (LGA) financial autonomy.

The directive mandates the direct payment of statutory allocations to LGAs, circumventing state government controls.

Speaking Thursday night at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, President Tinubu emphasized that genuine autonomy is contingent upon financial independence.

The president said LG autonomy cannot exist without financial independence, insisting that councils must receive their allocations without interference.

“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” Tinubu said.

“We will give them their money directly, that is the truth, that is compliance with the Supreme Court, take leadership seriously.”

He urged governors and party leaders to embrace reconciliation, flexibility and grassroots engagement, noting that leadership must go beyond state capitals to rural communities.

Tinubu also said he had assured the United States and the European Union of Nigeria’s commitment to establishing state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.

“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads,” Tinubu said.

“I told them confidently that we will pass state police to improve security, I have a party that will make it happen.”

The president commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa state over the death of the deputy governor and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Tinubu also called for increased female representation within the APC caucus.

Speaking earlier, Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the APC, said the party was witnessing growing national acceptance, citing high-profile defections and recent electoral victories.

Yilwatda said the party’s electronic membership registration exercise would run through January, with January 30 set as the deadline for members to be registered ahead of party congresses.

He said the APC, with the support of Tinubu, has secured land in Abuja’s Central Business District for a new national secretariat, adding that architectural designs were already underway.

The APC chairman said the party now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the national assembly, attributing the development to Tinubu’s leadership and recent defections.

Yilwatda listed governors who have joined the APC from opposition parties and said the trend reflects the party’s pan-Nigerian character.

He also briefed caucus members on ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, preparations for the FCT area council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and recent victories in by-elections.

In attendance of the national caucus meeting were President Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, APC governors, members of the national working committee, leaders of the national assembly, and recently defected governors.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Dauda Lawal’s Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has experienced mass defection of its leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress in recent days.

The defection, as claimed by a civic group known as the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, is as a result of leadership failure of the state under the administration of governor Dauda Lawal.

“The steady movement of PDP members into the APC is a clear signal of growing public frustration with the style of governance currently witnessed in Zamfara State,” the group said.

The Forum, in a statement signed on Thursday night by its Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Tsafe, praised Alhaji Muttaka Dalhatu, the former PDP Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area of the State, and others identified as ward leaders and executives for the courageous political move they made, adding that governor Lawal plays politics with the innocent lives of Zamfara people.

“Turning insecurity into a tool for political warfare is dangerous and deeply unfair to innocent citizens who bear the real cost,” the Forum stated.

The Forum expressed dissatisfaction on the degenerated state of insecurity in the State, alleging that since Matawalle left office, insurgency has grown in multiple folds, terrorising the people while the government has continued to fail in responding promptly with the required urgency.

The Forum further disclosed that some of the defectors cited Matawalle’s compassion, accessibility and understanding of Zamfara’s security realities as reasons for their decision.

“Our concern is not party labels, but leadership outcomes. Zamfara people deserve governance that prioritises security, honesty and human dignity over propaganda and political vendetta,” it added.

The Forum described Matawalle as a leader with political torelance and maturity, attributing his winning over members of different political parties as a proof of his leadership acumen.

According to the Forum, media narratives and political distractions were said to be the current government priorities rather than actionable plans to address the challenges facing the state.

The Forum emphatically stated that it was a non-partisan civic platform that prioritizes accountability, peace and the protection of lives and livelihoods in Zamfara State.

“Our concern is not party labels, but leadership outcomes. Zamfara people deserve governance that prioritises security, honesty and human dignity over propaganda and political vendetta,” it added.

Among the defectors who expressed confidence in the leadership experience of Bello Matawalle are political leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the State.

The member representing Maradun Local Government in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon Maharazu Salisu Faru; the PDP Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Abbakar Siddi Ciroma; and the PDP candidate in the state assembly by-election, Muhammad Lawal are said to be among the defectors.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to the ruling party.

The disclosure was made by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Yilwatda said Governor Mutfwang’s decision to join the APC marks a significant political development, noting that it effectively places the entire North Central geopolitical zone under the control of the ruling party.

He described the defection as a boost to the APC’s political strength in the region and a reflection of the party’s growing influence nationwide.

The defection has brought the numbers of APC’s governors to 28, while that of PDP to 4. With APGA, NNPP, Labour Party and Accord Party having one governor each.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to the ruling party.

The disclosure was made by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Yilwatda said Governor Mutfwang’s decision to join the APC marks a significant political development, noting that it effectively places the entire North Central geopolitical zone under the control of the ruling party.

He described the defection as a boost to the APC’s political strength in the region and a reflection of the party’s growing influence nationwide.

The defection has brought the numbers of APC’s governors to 28, while that of PDP to 4. With APGA, NNPP, Labour Party and Accord Party having one governor each.