Group cites federal alignment, grassroots mobilisation and youth empowerment as key to Abia’s development agenda

The Abia State chapter of the City Boy Movement has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, declaring that sustained development in the state depends on strategic alignment with the federal government.

The resolution was unanimously adopted on Tuesday at the Movement’s inaugural Town Hall meeting held in Umuahia, the state capital. The well-attended event brought together party leaders, grassroots coordinators, youth and women representatives, and stakeholders from all 17 local government areas of Abia State.

The Town Hall was presided over by the Movement’s Patron, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, alongside the State Director, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly known as Don Lulu.

In his keynote address, Igbokwe described the endorsement as a deliberate, structure-based decision anchored on continuity, political stability, and Abia’s effective participation in national governance.

“Development does not come from noise; it comes from participation,” Igbokwe said. “If Abia truly wants federal presence, infrastructure, and youth opportunities, we must organise deliberately from the grassroots and speak with one coordinated voice.” He stressed that political relevance is earned through visible, organised engagement rather than silence or disunity.

He further emphasized that youth empowerment would remain central to the Movement’s 2027 agenda, insisting it must move beyond slogans to clearly defined programmes with measurable outcomes.

In his remarks, Patron Chinedum Orji underscored the need for disciplined, peaceful mobilisation, linking Abia’s development aspirations to unity and strategic political choices. According to him, “Our people deserve infrastructure, jobs and opportunities, and these can only be secured through political solutions, not confrontation.” He warned that failure to invest in young people could threaten the state’s long-term peace and prosperity.

A major highlight of the Town Hall was the unveiling of a comprehensive youth mobilisation and federal access framework. The initiative includes the compilation of qualified youth nominees from wards and LGAs for consideration in federal agencies, expanded scholarship opportunities, structured skills acquisition programmes, strengthened ward-to-state engagement channels, and peaceful grassroots mobilisation focused on empowerment.

The Movement also adopted a grassroots-first strategy, directing coordinators to strengthen ward and LGA structures ahead of the 2027 elections. It further announced plans for active participation at the upcoming National Convention scheduled for May 13, 2026, in Owerri, where state chapters are expected to demonstrate organisational strength.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Ogbonna Ukuku reaffirmed unwavering and collective support for President Tinubu, describing the endorsement as a unified stance driven by Abia’s development interests.