President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that he has assured the United States and European partners of his administration’s commitment to implementing state police as a means of bolstering national security.

The President made the remarks during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

He recounted a detailed discussion with international partners, during which he expressed confidence in the policy direction, stating that his party provides a dependable foundation for its execution.

“They asked me if I’m confident and I said yes, I have a party to depend on,” President Tinubu said.

He emphasised that the responsibility for political reconciliation and internal party cohesion rests with leaders at all levels, adding that flexibility and tolerance are essential for stability and progress.

Drawing attention to the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy, President Tinubu urged APC leaders to support its implementation to strengthen grassroots governance. He insisted that autonomy would be meaningless without adequate funding, demanding that allocations meant for local governments be sent to them directly.

“Look at the recent Supreme Court judgment; what can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party? There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” he said.

The President further urged party leaders to take governance “seriously,” noting that robust local administration would help stabilise communities. He also appealed for greater inclusion of women in party leadership and participation.

Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasised the need for the APC to sustain its growing dominance nationwide. He warned that maintaining success requires discipline, cohesion and careful management of internal party democracy.

The Vice-President highlighted the APC’s strength across all six geopolitical zones, detailing its influence in states controlled by new entrants and defectors.

“Your excellencies, Rome was not destroyed by outside invaders; Rome was destroyed by the complacency of the Romans. I wish to implore all of us to know that to succeed is much easier than to maintain that success,” Mr. Shettima said.

“The whole of the South-South region is in the APC fold—the whole of the North Central. Out of the seven states in the North West, five are in the APC. Out of the six states in the South West, four are in the APC. Out of the six states in the North East, four are in the APC. Certainly, we have become a force of nature.”

He used Delta State as an example, citing the presence of former Vice-Presidential candidate Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and former Deputy Senate President Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege within the APC as indicators of the party’s strength.

Vice-President Shettima reassured governors who recently joined the APC that they had found a home in the ruling party and projected that it would remain dominant beyond 2027.