The Digest:
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu is consolidating support among celebrities and socialites through the "City Boys Movement," a political association championed by his son, Seyi Tinubu. Prominent figures, including Obi Cubana (South-East Zonal Coordinator), Cubana Chief Priest, Zenco, Yul Edochie, and Seyi Law, have publicly declared support for Tinubu's re-election. The movement, formed in 2022, now operates across all 774 local governments, focusing on grassroots engagement and policy advocacy tied to the Renewed Hope agenda. Critics argue the movement represents elite interests, with analyst Dr Adetokunbo Pearse noting it caters to "the privileged class" representing only about 2% of South-East voters. Labour Party Youth Leader Comrade Eragbe Anslem Aphimia said Tinubu "understands something about people and their needs," successfully infiltrating all sectors. APC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze described the movement as "against the masses of Nigeria who are being punished with poverty, insecurity and hunger."
Key Points:
- The City Boys Movement institutionalises youth support for Tinubu across all 774 LGAs.
- It represents strategic harvesting of influencers to shape narratives ahead of 2027.
- Celebrities gain political relevance, while critics question their influence on voters.
- This signals the intersection of entertainment, elite financing, and political mobilisation.
- The timing, with the opposition "Village Boy Movement" emerging, sets up a cultural clash.
Sources: Daily Post Nigeria, City Boys Movement
