President Tinubu Discusses Insecurity, Other Issues With 36 State Governors

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday discussed various topics with 36 state governors including a surge in the insecurity situation in the country and an increase in food prices. Tinubu also approved to set up a state committee to explore the modalities for establishing state police.

The meeting was also attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and some ministers at the State House in Abuja.

The official X handle (formerly known as Twitter) stated that the president vowed that his administration is working towards finding home-grown solutions to solve the food security issues by setting up schemes to support local production.

Furthermore, Tinubu also addressed the security issue and hinted at the formation of state police.

"My position at this meeting is that we must move aggressively and establish a committee to look critically at the issues raised, including the possibility of establishing state police," Tinubu said, as per the official statement.

Furthermore, he approved the "creation of a committee that includes state governors and federal government representatives to explore, among other things, the possibility of establishing state police," Premium Times reported.

He added, "I have also endorsed the training and equipping of forest rangers by sub-national governments to protect human and natural resources in our communities," adding that everyone "must move aggressively to examine the issues raised, including the potential for establishing state police."

As far as food security is concerned, the president pointed out that the administration should ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers do not sabotage the government's efforts to ensure the wide availability of food to all Nigerians.

Tinubu said he won't set a price control board and not approve importing of food in the country. "We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in, because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense," he said.

He added, "We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country," adding that the government must immediately do thoughtful implementation of livestock development and management plans.

Moreover, the president urged all 36 governors to trust the Central Bank of Nigeria to manage the country's monetary policy.

During the meeting, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) appreciated Tinubu for holding this important meeting and affirmed that all governors will work closely with the federal government.

The meeting was held after the Nigerian Bar Association urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency amid a surge in insecurity across the country.