As political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, a number of celebrities and socialites have publicly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term ambition under the City Boys Movement.
The President, who already enjoys the backing of most governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, is once again drawing support from figures in the entertainment and business communities, reminiscent of the coalition that supported him before the 2023 presidential election.
Among those who have openly aligned with the President are Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, Cletus Oragwa, known as Zenco, Yul Edochie, Emmanuel Philip, Bolanle Ninalowo, Zack Orji, Adeniyi Johnson and Seyi Law.
The City Boys Movement, championed by Seyi Tinubu, son of the President, is described as a youth driven political association mobilising support for the President’s re election bid.
Obi Cubana has reportedly been appointed South East Zonal Coordinator of the movement, with similar structures emerging across zones, states, local governments and wards. The platform is said to be targeting young entrepreneurs and professionals to consolidate support for the Tinubu administration ahead of 2027.
However, the development has generated debate, particularly among supporters of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who is widely believed to be preparing for another presidential contest.
Reacting to the growing coalition around the President, Comrade Engr Dr Eragbe Anslem Aphimia, National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, said Tinubu understands how to cultivate influence across sectors.
“2027 general elections are here already and President Tinubu has gone ahead to infiltrate almost all sectors of our human endeavors: security, INEC, political parties, government across states, legislatures, judiciary, entertainment etc, bringing people from different sectors into believing in his 2027 presidential realization and mobilizing them to that effect.
“Nigeria is tilting towards near one party state because President Tinubu understands something that most politicians do not understand.
“PBAT was the most formidable opposition leader in Nigeria from 1999 2023 before he became President of Nigeria.
“He led the most formidable opposition against incumbent presidents and also saw to it that a sitting president was defeated at the polls. He came to power by that same scheme which many people did not understand and may not understand till after the 2027 general elections.
“Certainly, influencers have also been mobilized for action ahead of time. And that alone is a major pointer to shaping narratives for the general elections ahead of 2027. Discussions, however negative, will dominate the airwaves to keep PBAT on the front burner of mobilization of human and material resources,” he said.
An APC chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, urged observers to examine the motive behind the formation of the City Boys Movement.
“To answer the question on how far this movement can go, the most I can say is that this is a movement against the masses of Nigeria who are being punished with poverty, insecurity and hunger by the evil policies of President Tinubu.
“With the coming of the Village Boy Movement, I am convinced that whatever agenda that the City Boys Movement will come up with will surely be checked and curtailed,” he stated.
Eze described the platform as a structured youth advocacy and mobilization vehicle founded in 2022 to support Tinubu’s presidential ambition. He said it has since expanded across all 774 local government areas, focusing on political education, grassroots engagement and policy advocacy linked to the Renewed Hope agenda.
He also pointed to elite backing and financial empowerment initiatives tied to the movement, suggesting that socio economic incentives and political branding are being combined to consolidate loyalty ahead of 2027.
Offering a contrasting view, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, public affairs analyst and member of the Peoples Democratic Party structures, questioned the electoral impact of celebrity endorsements.
“If Cubana and the City Boy Movement want to entrench themselves in the Privileged class it only makes sense for them to associate themselves with Tinubu’s campaign.
“Unfortunately for them however, they represent a very small percentage of the voting public probably 2 percent of the electorate of the South East geopolitical zone.
“It is difficult to see how their celebrity status will convince the hungry and unemployed citizens of Nigeria to vote for the reelection of Tinubu, who in his first term as President has made life worse for them than ever before.
“Tinubu has deepened their poverty, increased the rate of unemployment, increased the cost of living beyond affordability, and made their life unsafe.
“The general public in Igboland would rather listen to Nnamdi Kanu than to Cubana and his City Boys Movement, knowing that Kanu has always stood for the common man, while Cubana and co are only interested in what they can benefit and how they can protect their wealth.
“Entertainers are paid to entertain, not to lecture on life’s choices.
“Cubana and members of the City Boy Movement will draw a crowd when they come out to campaign for Tinubu, especially if they accompany their presentation with bags of rice and such palliatives.
“Remember the actress whom Lagos State PDP fielded as Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 election. She boasted of 15 million followers on Facebook. At the election, she didn’t have 15 thousand votes,” he added.
Beyond celebrity endorsements, political realignments continue to reshape the landscape. Several governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have reportedly defected to the APC, strengthening the ruling party’s position as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
