Onoh Warns Against Leadership Strategy of City Boys Movement Following Owerri Disruption

Denge Josef Onoh, former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu in the southeast and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, has revisited his earlier cautions regarding the leadership strategy of the City Boys Movement, especially within the southeast region.

Onoh's reflections came after a tumultuous event during a City Boys Movement rally held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, where invited youths from the region caused disruptions, resulting in the looting of empowerment items designated for distribution.

Reports suggest that the looting stemmed from the youths alleging inadequate compensation for their transportation or may have been fueled by a conspiracy to undermine the movement's leadership in the southeast.

The incident has ignited discussions, with interpretations ranging from grievances about unpaid mobilization fees to broader attacks on political affiliations.

The City Boys Movement, known for advocating President Tinubu’s policies, aimed to engage young individuals across the zone through this rally.

In light of the disturbance in Owerri, Onoh recalled that he had advised the national leader of the City Boys Movement, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, on January 26, 2026, regarding the implementation of a well-structured leadership strategy for the group in the southeast.

He stated that he cautioned about the necessity of careful organization and coordination within the movement to avoid creating parallel hierarchies that could disrupt party cohesion ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Drawing from his experience during the 2023 election cycles, he expressed concern over the importance of fortifying the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region while acknowledging the positive motives behind youth mobilization and the engagement of key private-sector players.

Onoh underscored the significance of aligning with existing party frameworks and the leadership in the southeast, cautioning against overlapping roles that could result in confusion among members.

He stated, “Historically, the APC has not performed well in the southeast, underlining the need for unity and coordination among party members. It is vital that any new political initiative does not compete with established party structures. The introduction of extra coordinative layers may mislead party members and supporters, possibly weakening collective efforts, hence could explain the disruptions we witnessed yesterday.”

He pointed out that mere visibility does not equate to effective political mobilization and praised the civic engagement of businesspeople and professionals in fostering national growth.

Onoh reiterated that political activism in the southeast must consider local dynamics, historical context, and the ongoing initiatives by elected officials and party leaders.

He also called for a renewed dialogue with party supporters in the region, emphasizing the necessity of acknowledgment, inclusion, and effective communication to sustain morale and commitment among members.

“Any city boy or village boy movements that operate outside the solid control and coordination of APC governors in their respective states and existing party structures is likely doomed to fail. Experience has shown that those with no roots in grassroots politics are unlikely to achieve meaningful influence,” Onoh said.

He urged all stakeholders to focus on unity, discussions, and strategic partnerships in promoting the party's goals across the country, particularly with state governors.

Onoh described the formation of the southeast City Boys Movement as “transactional,” indicating it seems more of a political maneuver to gain from the convenor’s resources than genuine interest in the President’s agenda.

“The sentiments in the southeast indicate a feeling of exclusion from the current administration, more so than during Buhari's tenure, which was evident in the unfortunate events of yesterday. Hence, it is crucial that the support and focus shift towards the southeast governors if the President hopes to achieve success and if the objectives of the City Boys Movement are to be met. Failing to do this risks reducing the movement to nothing more than a fleeting spectacle,” he concluded.