2027 – City Boy Movement steps up grassroots mobilisation in Plateau
By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
The City Boy Movement has intensified its grassroots mobilisation drive in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its leadership seeking stronger collaboration with the state government, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other stakeholders.
The movement’s leadership, led by its Director-General, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, disclosed this when it paid a courtesy visit to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.
The delegation included the APC National Chairman and National Patron of the City Boy Movement, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; North Central Coordinator, Ambassador Abdul Fatah Yaya Seriki, and other national and state leaders.
Speaking during the visit, Yilwatda urged members of the movement to take its mobilisation campaign beyond social media and establish a strong presence in communities, wards and polling units.
“Get involved, Engage the people and empower the people. That will be a major turnaround for us as a party.”
“You are an anchor, you are pathfinders, you are pivotal to the votes we are going to harvest among the young people.”
“As much as you promote the City Boy Movement, I want to see the party logo on all that you are doing, more prominent, because on election day nobody sees City Boy Movement; people see the APC.”
Yilwatda commended Governor Mutfwang for receiving the delegation personally, describing the engagement as important to strengthening stakeholder interaction.
He said the movement had a responsibility to communicate the policies and achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to young Nigerians, stressing that effective mobilisation must reach the grassroots.
Responding, Governor Mutfwang said the visit was significant because the City Boy Movement represented a new dimension of support-group engagement, particularly in its focus on youth participation and empowerment.
The governor disclosed that he had previously engaged with Hon. Seyi Tinubu to understand the philosophy behind the movement, adding that his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu began after he assumed office in 2023.
Mutfwang said his support for the President was based on his understanding of Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria, adding that political actors would need to communicate directly and respectfully with citizens ahead of the 2027 elections.
“If we are going to get people to get involved, it’s not going to be by showmanship. It’s not going to be by arrogance. It’s going to be by deliberate engagement.
“Don’t go where the President is popular. Go where the President is not as popular. Try to convince them to come on board. Carve a niche for yourselves.
“People want information. People want to be carried along.”
The governor also advocated greater use of town-hall meetings and direct community engagement, saying citizens should be given opportunities to understand government policies and ask questions.
He acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, but said the Federal Government’s reforms should be explained to citizens within the context of the economic situation inherited by the Tinubu administration.
Earlier, Shoga said the City Boy Movement was established to promote youth participation and engage Nigerians at the grassroots.
He said the movement’s objective was to take the message of Renewed Hope directly to the people across the 17 Local Government Areas, wards, communities and polling units, while encouraging young Nigerians to become active participants in the democratic process.
“Our objective is to take the message of Renewed Hope directly to the people across the 17 Local Government Areas, wards, communities and polling units, while encouraging young Nigerians to become active participants in the democratic process.”
Shoga thanked the governor for receiving the delegation and appealed for continued support as the movement builds its structure in Plateau State in collaboration with APC leadership and other stakeholders.
Also speaking, the North Central Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, Ambassador Abdul Fatah Yaya Seriki, described Plateau State as an important part of his personal and political identity, noting that he was born and raised in the state.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen cooperation among stakeholders as the movement expands its grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 political season.
