By Muhyideen Jimoh
The City Boy Movement (CBM) has urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation, targeting 10 million youth votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The call came on Monday during the opening dinner of the 2026 CBM National Retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The retreat, with the theme ‘Youth. Unity. Action.’, attracted national, zonal and state leaders, National Working Committee members and coordinators from across the federation.
CBM Patron, Mr Seyi Tinubu, said the retreat aimed to prepare members for greater responsibilities rather than celebrate previous achievements.
He urged participants to return home as communicators, educators, mobilisers and ambassadors of hope, strengthening engagement with citizens at the grassroots.
Tinubu said many Nigerians were exposed to misinformation and incomplete narratives regarding government policies, making effective public engagement increasingly important.
“We must return to our various states prepared to explain what government policies are about and explain them clearly.
“We must listen to the concerns of our people sincerely and demonstrate through our conduct that leadership is first about service,” he said.
The patron said President Tinubu inherited severe economic and security challenges and introduced reforms to stabilise the economy and establish foundations for sustainable national growth.
He acknowledged the reforms had caused temporary hardships but maintained that encouraging signs of recovery were beginning to emerge across key sectors.
Tinubu urged members to explain government policies with facts, empathy and responsibility, saying the movement should bridge the gap between government and citizens.
“We must leave this retreat with renewed energy to reach every ward, every local government, every market, every campus, every community and every home,” he said.
Earlier, CBM Director-General, Mr Francis Shoga, said the organisation aimed to secure 10 million youth votes through sustained grassroots mobilisation before 2027.
“Ten million votes will not come from slogans or social media. They will come from real people, real members, real engagement and hard work,” Shoga said.
He urged members to build a disciplined, results-driven organisation capable of educating Nigerians about government policies and mobilising community-level support nationwide.
Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud, described nation-building as a shared responsibility requiring patriotism, unity and responsible citizenship.
She commended the City Boy Movement for encouraging civic participation and promoting national cohesion among young Nigerians.
Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, urged young Nigerians to participate actively in governance and national development.
“It is time for everyone in this country to hear the voice of the youth,” Olawande said.
CBM Co-Patron, Mr Kashim Shettima Jr., described the organisation as “the biggest youth political movement in Africa” and urged members to remain united.
He encouraged participants to strengthen grassroots structures and expand the movement’s nationwide reach ahead of future political engagements.
The three-day retreat is reviewing organisational progress, strengthening internal coordination and preparing members for the next phase of nationwide mobilisation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo