State police won’t be delayed, Nigeria ‘out of the woods’ — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Monday pledged that the establishment of state police to combat insecurity would not be postponed.

He also declared that Nigeria had emerged from economic uncertainty.

Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with governors and senior officials at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration’s promise to tackle insecurity through state policing remained on track.

“What I promise you will not be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity,” Tinubu stated during the event, which marked the first Iftar of the 2026 Ramadan season.

The President expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic trajectory, declaring, “We are out of the woods. We are out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is showing up.”

Tinubu appealed to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to exercise restraint amid political tensions in the state, saying, “I’m glad I see Abba from Kano, even though the cap is red, it’s not different from APC… I saw the crisis on TVC News. Please temper justice with mercy.”

The President also called for inclusivity within the ruling All Progressives Congress, urging governors to accommodate young party members.

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“I will advise those in the same party with me to please bear in mind that those little ones too, they cry. Tolerate everybody… Let’s see the young ones breathe too,” he appealed.

Tinubu commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his Ramadan outreach programmes, describing the initiatives for both Muslims and Christians as “a very, very good spirit.”

He said, “I saw the layout of those Ramadan outreaches for both Christians and Muslims.

“It looked more robust. I thought you would eat all the 300,000 shares.”

The President said he had been receiving both progress reports and complaints from states, specifically referencing Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, whom he referred to as “my son, the farmer from Niger.”

“There are a lot of complaints and commendations coming from all angles.

“They will come from me too, but as long as we bridge together and we move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come to Nigeria,” he said.

Tinubu urged governors to extend development opportunities to grassroots communities and local governments, calling for more compassion and inclusivity.

“Let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all the supporters.

“Be all-encompassing and let’s spread development opportunities across the grassroots and the local governments,” he said.

The President highlighted the significance of Ramadan coinciding with the Christian Lenten season, calling for discipline, sacrifice, faith and unity.

“You know what it means: discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience and strong determination for us to continue to bridge together, pray together and love one another, with humility, love for our neighbours and service to humanity,” he stated.

Earlier, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman, commended Tinubu for fostering national unity during the interfaith gathering.

“It is not often that the Muslim Ramadan fast coincides with the Lenten season. The last time was 33 years ago.

“This convergence is a special situation created by God to remind us, Christians and Muslims, not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and political activities,” Uzodimma said.

He praised the President’s leadership style, saying, “Never in the history of this country have we had the opportunity of removing political beacons, closing ranks with the President and governors, and allowing a harmonious political environment to prevail.”

Uzodimma pledged continued partnership, saying, “Nigerian governors will continue to work with you.

“We have appreciated the new reform policies you brought, the deliveries you have given to state governors to operate, the support and the interventions you have created.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and several cabinet members attended the gathering.

Governors present included Alex Otti of Abia; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Monday Okpebholo of Edo; Usman Ododo of Kogi; Babagana Zulum of Borno; Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe; Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto; Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta; Mohammed Bago of Niger; Umar Namadi of Jigawa; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa; Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano; and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Others were Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi; Bassey Otu of Cross River; Gabriel Mutfwang of Plateau; and Hyacinth Alia of Benue.

Prayers were offered by the State House Chief Imam, Abdulwaheed Sulaiman, for Muslims and Governor Kefas for Christians.

The dinner marked the third consecutive year of Tinubu’s annual tradition of hosting political and government leaders for Ramadan Iftar.