Owerri ‘City Boys Movement’ Rampage: Onoh recalls foretold Strategy

President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the south east and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh has recalled his earlier warning on the strategy to be employed in the composition of the leadership of City Boys Movement, particularly in the south east region.

Onoh’s retrospect followed Saturday’s rampage in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, where there was a disruption at a City Boys Movement rally in Owerri, by invited youths across the south east who at the venue looted empowerment materials meant for distribution.

Reports had it the invited youths took to the looting of the materials because of alleged underpayment for their transportation fares, while other reports said it could have arose out of conspiracy to sabotage the leadership of the movement in the south east.

The disruption has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a reaction to alleged unpaid mobilisation fees, while others see it as an attack on a political group.

The City Boys Movement is a pro-government support group advocating for President Tinubu’s policies, and the rally was part of a broader outreach to mobilize young people across the zone.

Reacting to the Owerri incident, Onoh recalled that he had on January 26 2026 advised the national leader of the City Boys Movement, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, on the strategy to apply in the organigram of the leadership of the support group, particularly in the south east zone.

In a statement, on Sunday, Onoh recalled he had urged Seyi Tinubu to exercise caution in the organisation and coordination of the Movement, warning that parallel structures could complicate party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He cited his experience during the 2023 electioneering period and his concern for strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region.

He acknowledged the intention behind youth mobilisation efforts and the involvement of prominent private-sector figures, but stressed the need for alignment with existing party structures and leadership in the South-East to avoid duplication of roles or misunderstandings.

According to him, “the APC’s electoral performance in the South-East has historically lagged behind other regions, making coordination and unity among party stakeholders essential. I advised that any new political initiative should complement, rather than compete with established party mechanisms. Introducing additional coordinative layers could be misinterpreted by party members and supporters, potentially weakening collective efforts and that could have been the conspiracy behind yesterday’s rampage.”

He noted that public visibility alone does not substitute for long-term political mobilisation and commended the civic interest of business leaders and professionals in national development.

Onoh maintained that political engagement in the South-East requires sensitivity to local dynamics, party history and ongoing efforts by elected officials and party leaders.

He also called for renewed engagement with party loyalists in the region, emphasising the importance of recognition, inclusion and communication to maintain morale and commitment.

“Any city boy or village boy movements that is not under the firm control and coordination of APC governors in their respective states and party structures is dead on arrival and a waste of energy as history has proved over time that neophytes have no connection with grassroot politics,” Onoh said.

He urged all stakeholders to prioritise cohesion, dialogue and strategic cooperation in advancing the party’s objectives nationwide most especially with the state governors.

He described the composition of the Southeast city boy movement as “transactional” with no interest of the President but as a political business opportunity to benefit from whatever the convenor or founder has to give away.

“The entire southeast feel they are excluded from the current government more than the Buhari administration hence their anger which yesterday’s sad event proved. This is the reason why the support and focus should be on the Southeast governors if the president will succeed and the objectives of the City Boys Movement be realised. Failure to do so would tantamount to the movement simply becoming another Nollywood celebrity cast movie.”

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