By: Shafihi Abdulrasheed, anipr
The year 2026 is still wearing that fresh and promising smell of new beginnings. It’s on this note that I wish you a happy and prosperous new year. As a new year gift, I’d decided to take you on a journey–a journey into one of Nigeria’s most organized political movements: the City Boy Movement.
Before we dive in, may I ask you this; with the ADC looking more confused than a chameleon in a bag of skittles, and the PDP reduced to ground zero faster than you can say “opposition party,” isn’t 2027 already a big win for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? The honest answer is yes.
But here in Nigeria, nothing is guaranteed until the last vote is counted. And that’s exactly why the City Boy Movement is not resting. They’re not celebrating prematurely. They’re working — quietly, deliberately, and assiduously
To fully grasp the 2027 equation, a brief dissection of the opposition is unavoidable for their disarray is part of the 2027 story. *The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once the mighty behemoth of Nigerian politics, has become a pale shadow of itself. Internal crises, leadership squabbles, and a complete (maybe dangerous) disconnect from the pulse of young Nigerians have left the party struggling for relevance. PDP spent 2023 blaming rigging instead of fixing their broken machinery. They spent 2024 and 2025 fighting over who should lead them. Now, as 2026 unfolds, they’re scattered, disjointed, and frankly, uninspiring.*
*Funnily then, there’s the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party so confused that it appears unsure whether it wants to be a serious contender or a footnote in political history. The party’s messages lack clarity. Their visibility is practically non-existent. If politics were a football match, ADC would be the team that showed up without jerseys, very unsure which goalpost to defend.*
Now, the City Boy Movement is not building on the opposition’s weakness. They’re not banking on their failures. Rather, they’re building their success story and structure. Because they know that in politics, as in life, taking things for granted is the shortest route to regret.
*In 2023, City Boy Movement was in the trenches. A disciplined team of practical mobilizers speaking to young Nigerians in their language, on their terms, and in their spaces. The Movement built a structure that would make seasoned politicians jealous. They convinced young Nigerians that Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented their future. The result came in and Tinubu emerged victorious. The City Boy and Nigerians delivered.*
However, at this point, most political movements would have packed up, declared mission accomplished, and gone home. After all, their man is in Aso Rock. The work is done, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. *The Director General of the Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, has always maintained that winning an election is easier than keeping the mandate. Between 2023 and now, while others rested on their laurels, Shoga was building a bigger boat. Not because the old one was sinking, but because he knew that 2027 would require more hands, more voices, and more conviction.*
The opposition–though weak–is still there, waiting for the APC to make mistakes. And so, the approach must change.
Shoga did not operate as an armchair general, issuing directives from Abuja or Lagos as it’s common in Nigerian politics. He moves. Imo, Edo, Ondo, Lagos, Benue, Nasarawa, among others not just received him but also felt his presence. In each place, he engaged youth groups. He explained the President’s difficult decisions. Because let’s be honest: President Tinubu has made some tough calls. Fuel subsidy removal hurt. Exchange rate adjustments pinched. Reforms bit hard. These are policies that require explanation, context, and most importantly trust. *So, instead of running away from the difficult questions, Shoga confronted them head-on. He told young Nigerians the truth: change is painful before it becomes profitable. And slowly, carefully, and deliberately, he kept people in the ship even when the waters got rough.*
*Unlike the directionless PDP and uncoordinated ADC, the City Boy Movement with the blessing of the Grand Patron, Barr. Seyi Tinubu and Shoga, embarked on a strategic mission to identify the right people for the right positions.* Not just anybody. Not praise-singers or social media influencers with no grassroots reach. They scouted for people of timber and calibre-individuals with individuals with proven capacity to mobilize, acceptability in their states, and credibility to convince. The result was the list of State Directors who’ll deliver Tinubu for four more years to do more for Nigerians.
From Oyo to Ogun, Nasarawa to Niger, Lagos to Kano, Benue to Borno. The Movement has planted its flags. Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao Akala in Oyo brings political pedigree and youth energy. Hon. Kamorudeen Yusuf in Ogun understands the Gateway State’s unique political terrain. Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe in Lagos carries a name that opens doors. Goodluck Nwaneri in Imo is a business mogul with vast local connection, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu in Edo is a philanthropist and public servant of high repute.
In FCT, Hon. Bitrus Lawrence Garki brings youthful energy and political acceptability to beae and Alhaji Baba Rauf Abdulrazaq of Kwara state is a force to reckon with–the list goes on. Each State Director was chosen because they possess three critical qualities: local acceptability, organizational capacity, and loyalty to the Renewed Hope agenda.
While PDP scrambles to find leaders who can agree on anything, and ADC battles visibility, City Boy Movement has locked down 32 states with Hon. Akintunde Abidemi Oludayo and Hon. Olufemi Shekete as Diaspora Directors.
This is not child’s play. Politics without structure is like building a house on sand —impressive until the rains come. *The City Boy Movement is definitely building on the rock, fully aware that 2027 will be won by those with presence in every local government, every ward, and every polling unit.*
Already, political observers and analysts are taking note. The whispers in political circles are growing louder: “City Boy Movement is serious.” “They are not playing.” They are building for 2027 like it is tomorrow.” And they are right to pay attention. *When the Director General promised to deliver 10 million youth votes for President Tinubu’s re-election, he was not making empty boasts. He is making a calculated projection based on structure, strategy, and sustained engagement. And the appointment of State Directors is not the end of the strategy; it is the beginning of execution.* Each State Director will now build an expanded structure from state to local government to ward and finally to the polling unit.
So, as we march towards 2027, one thing is clear: the City Boy Movement is coming with structure and track records to win. And most importantly, they are not coming because they have to; they are coming because they believe. They believe in the Renewed Hope agenda. They believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.
The City Boy Movement is on the move again. And this time, they are not just knocking on doors. They are opening them. They are mobilizing voters. They are building citizens. They are shaping the generation. So, I welcome you to the future of political mobilization in Nigeria. I welcome you to 2027.
*Now, let the doubters doubt, let the critics criticize, and let the naysayers say nay. While they talk, the City Boy Movement will walk and deliver. Because in the end, elections are not won by those who shout the loudest. They are won by those who work the hardest. And nobody, absolutely nobody, is working harder than the City Boy Movement.*
Shafihi Abdulrasheed Oaldimeji, anipr is a media and PR expert based in Abuja. He’s a friend of City Boy Movement. He can be reached via sharvee2@gmail.com