“‘City Boy’ Politics Lands in Bayelsa — Diri’s Move Divides Public Opinion”
.........Diri Backs “City Boy Movement,” Signals Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Push
By Passman Akpos
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has pledged his administration’s support for the City Boy Movement (CBM), a youth-driven political group campaigning for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The governor made this known on Tuesday when the CBM delegation, led by its Director-General, Oluwatosin Shoga, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Yenagoa.
CBM, known for promoting President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” is focused on mobilising Nigerian youths to play active roles in governance while building grassroots support ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking during the meeting, Diri said the vision of the movement aligns with his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development.
“For us as a government, youths must be leaders of today, not tomorrow,” the governor said, pointing to his cabinet appointments as evidence of his youth-inclusive policies.
While endorsing the group’s broader political objective, Diri stressed that youth development must go beyond electoral ambitions. He urged the movement to prioritise skills acquisition, economic empowerment, and constructive engagement.
In a notable policy stance, the governor reiterated his long-standing advocacy for a single six-year tenure for elected leaders, arguing that the current four-year cycle often diverts focus from governance to re-election campaigns.
“A single term of six years will allow leaders to concentrate fully on development without the distractions and cost of seeking re-election,” he said.
Diri also raised concerns about the growing trend of political violence and the use of youths as tools for thuggery and online attacks, warning that such practices undermine democracy.
“I abhor the use of youths for violence, intimidation, or spreading falsehood. Democracy must be about constructive criticism and solutions, not propaganda,” he added, while calling for peaceful conduct during the group’s planned rally in the state.
In his remarks, Shoga said the City Boy Movement is committed to mobilising and empowering young Nigerians, positioning them as critical stakeholders in national development.
He praised Diri’s administration for what he described as visible developmental strides and youth-focused governance in Bayelsa, adding that the group would continue to collaborate with the state government.
Shoga also noted that President Tinubu had acknowledged the progress made in Bayelsa during a recent visit, reinforcing the need for continued partnership between the federal and state governments.
The visit marks a growing alignment between state-level leadership and youth-driven political advocacy groups ahead of the 2027 elections, with analysts suggesting it could shape early campaign dynamics across the Niger Delta and beyond.
