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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.

Henix:
City Men Movement should go back to their drawing board.

One of the efulefu during his speech at the event said that the Igbos were defeated in civil war, while the other one said that the Igbos lack knowledge. Using derogatory statements on your tribe because of your selfish interest

anonimi:
Should they be appropriately called GREEDY boys movement

Ofunaofu:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/owerri-city-boys-movement-rampage-onoh-recalls-foretold-strategy/

Wizardslayer:
Everything about APC always turnout to be shambolic and devoid of common sense.

Tinubu is a calamity to the people of Nigeria.

Wizardslayer:
Everything about APC always turnout to be shambolic and devoid of common sense.

Tinubu is a calamity to the people of Nigeria.

lenghtinny:
These clowns just turned Nigeria into a circus

Do the right thing and the electorates will vote for you but no, they will rather do showmanship and spend money on frivolities

Bobby4090:
APC had rally in Owerri and some people scattered it and some are rejoicing with the violence and disruption witnessed there. But if ADC has a rally in Benin or Akure and it was scattered with violence same people who rejoice at what happened in Owerri will come out and say Tinubu is not a Democrat and doesn't want opposition to be heard.
Why do some condone and rejoice with violence in Owerri and yet condemn violence elsewhere that the opposition party was caught up.
Hypocritical!

Bobby4090:
APC had rally in Owerri and some people scattered it and some are rejoicing with the violence and disruption witnessed there. But if ADC has a rally in Benin or Akure and it was scattered with violence same people who rejoice at what happened in Owerri will come out and say Tinubu is not a Democrat and doesn't want opposition to be heard.
Why do some condone and rejoice with violence in Owerri and yet condemn violence elsewhere that the opposition party was caught up.
Hypocritical!

Henix:
City Men Movement should go back to their drawing board.

One of the efulefu during his speech at the event said that the Igbos were defeated in civil war, that they are defeated tribe. While the other one said that the Igbos lack knowledge. Using derogatory statements on your tribe because of your selfish interest, I guess that's how other tribes play the national politics

Bobby4090:
APC had rally in Owerri and some people scattered it and some are rejoicing with the violence and disruption witnessed there. But if ADC has a rally in Benin or Akure and it was scattered with violence same people who rejoice at what happened in Owerri will come out and say Tinubu is not a Democrat and doesn't want opposition to be heard.
Why do some condone and rejoice with violence in Owerri and yet condemn violence elsewhere that the opposition party was caught up.
Hypocritical!

Mrexcell:
You should be old and wise enough to know the difference this event in owerri was clearly disrupted by same apc youths that were protesting for being shortchanged by the organisers of the city boys movement while the one that happened in edo was clearly an assassination attempt on adc leaders. There's no records of tinibu or any apc top leaders been shot at by armed Igbo youths when they visited the south east region.

Mrexcell:
Pls who are the dumb igbos that made those derogatory statements?

energy37:
There was nothing like assassination of ADC leaders in Edo. The faction of the ADC that disrupted the Oyegun/Akpata led ADC meeting in Edo did not hide. They confirmed that they were behind the disruption since Oyegun was using power to snatch the party from the foundation members of the party in the State. Try to be impartial in your report/comment. Your support or otherwise for APC does not and cannot determine the success of the party.

Henix:
CP said in his speech that the Igbos were defeated in war, while his oga, Cubana, said that the Igbos lack knowledge