The President issued the warning on Friday night while addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has warned that he may take decisive executive actions, including slashing states’ allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), if governors continue to delay the implementation of local government financial autonomy as ordered by the Supreme Court.
The President issued the warning on Friday night while addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
He restated his administration’s resolve to enforce the apex court’s judgment granting financial independence to local government councils across the country.
According to President Tinubu, failure by state governors to align with the Supreme Court ruling could compel him to act unilaterally to ensure compliance.
“The Supreme Court has said, ‘give them their money directly.’ If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it.
“I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, FAAC after FAAC, you will see your allocation dwindling,” the President said.
Tinubu stressed that the autonomy of local governments is central to grassroots development and democratic governance, noting that deliberate resistance to the judgment undermines constitutional order. He, however, appealed for cooperation rather than confrontation, urging governors to act in the spirit of partnership and national interest.
Beyond the issue of local government autonomy, the President called for unity and tolerance within the ruling party, reminding party leaders that the APC was founded on progressive ideals and inclusive politics.
“We must continue to be resolute that this democracy that we take in our hands must not fail. We say we are bigger. We are larger and taller. But it should now be in our hearts to be accommodating. That’s the only way we can be resilient, we must be tolerant,” he said.
President Tinubu also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as a strategy to address worsening insecurity. He urged the National Assembly to summon the Inspector General of Police to explore ways to “institute controls and prevent abuses,” describing it as a necessary step in tackling terrorism and banditry.
The President further expressed support for efforts to increase women’s participation in elective offices and cautioned the National Assembly against centralising the lottery business, arguing that lotto or lottery falls within the jurisdiction of state governments.
In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s political courage and leadership, describing any attempt to challenge his popularity ahead of the 2027 elections as futile.
“Politics rewards memory, and today, memory must begin with gratitude before we speak of maps and margins; we must acknowledge the singular role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building the very culture of opposition that brought us here,” Shettima said.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, announced plans for nationwide e-registration of party members, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, commended the President for what they described as bold and strategic economic reforms.