Ward by ward: the City Boy Movement goes local in Oyo and Ondo
A pledge of a million votes in Oyo, three members in every polling unit in Ondo, and a national retreat that drew every state. This is how a youth movement builds from the ground up.
Big rallies make the news, but much of an election campaign happens in wards and polling units. Over the past two months the City Boy Movement (CBM) has been setting up structures at that level in two south-western states.
Oyo: a million-vote target
In Oyo State, the movement is working on its strategy for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election across all 33 local government areas. State coordinator Ahmed Ajibola has pledged one million votes in Oyo, and the group aims to have about 1,000 members in each of the state’s 351 wards.
Ajibola says the group runs on voluntary donations from its members. Olufemi Onireti was later named the movement’s Director-General for Oyo, BusinessDay reported.
Ondo: three per polling unit
In Ondo State, the movement inaugurated its state executives in Akure. State Director Oluwafemi Ayejusunle says the CBM already has three members in each polling unit and is building across the state’s 18 local government areas. Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared his support for the President.
Bigger than a campaign
The state chapters build on the movement’s first national retreat, held in Abuja in July 2026. It drew members from all 36 states and the FCT. Speaking there, Seyi Tinubu said the CBM had evolved beyond a campaign platform into a movement committed to national development and citizen engagement.
The movement says it is targeting 10 million youth votes. Beyond Oyo and Ondo, it also has a Lagos chapter, and in Bauchi it has organised ICT marshals.
Why it matters on the ground
Thousands of young people are knocking on doors, holding ward meetings and recruiting polling-unit agents. Whatever their politics, that is a significant number of young Nigerians taking part in civic life. On Monday the President called it “organisation”. In Oyo and Ondo, that organisation is being built ward by ward.
Sources
- Tribune: CBM perfects strategy for re-election of Tinubu, others in Oyo
- Vanguard: City Boy Movement targets Oyo grassroots for Tinubu
- NAN: City Boy Movement targets 1m votes for Tinubu re-election in Oyo
- BusinessDay: City Boy Movement unveils Ondo leadership to rally youths for Tinubu
- Vanguard: City Boy Movement committed to national development — Seyi Tinubu
This story was compiled by Ripple Nigeria Staff from the public reports and official statements listed above. Figures described as claims are attributed to the people or organisations that made them.
