Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has lauded the inauguration of City Boy Movement, a support group smobilising for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the people of the South -East, Nigeria , to return to strat da
egic political engagement and reconnect with the centre.
He made the call on Tuesday while receiving members of the City Boy Movement led by the South-East Coordinator of the movement and successful businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana.
Obinna Iyiegbu handing over City Boy Movement cap to Gov Mbah
Governor Mbah lamented that the South-East had in recent years become politically fragmented and disconnected from the centre, a situation he said had reduced the region’s influence in national decision-making.
According to him, the political forebears of Ndigbo were known for strategic alliances and pragmatic politics rather than sentiment.
“If you go back in history and talk about our forebears, they were always willing to have a handshake across the Niger whenever it became necessary.
“For us as Ndi Igbo, we have never played politics driven by sentiment. We have always been very strategic and that is what has been bequeathed to us by our forebears,” he said.
Governor Mbah addressing City Boy Movement members
The governor noted that the region must avoid remaining on the sidelines of national politics and ensure it is present where critical decisions about Nigeria are made.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be on the margins again. We must be at the table where conversations about this country are held,” he stated.
Mbah also pointed out that historically, the Eastern region had always played a central role in Nigeria’s political structure.
“If you look at how this country started, we had Enugu in the East, Kaduna in the North and Ibadan in the West as regional capitals. Enugu and the Eastern region were prominent in that economy.
City Boy Movement members
The governor expressed confidence in the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, noting that the policies were gradually stabilising the economy despite early challenges.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a political slogan. It is an inclusive economic plan aimed at creating massive jobs for our young people,” he said.
“Private capital will only come when the system is stable. What this president has done is to deal with the macroeconomic pressures and restore stability.”
Obinna Iyiegbu ( Obi Cubana) speaking at the event.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation , Obinna Iyiegbu said the South-East had lost political ground in recent years and had now realised the need to reconnect with the centre.
“We’ve learnt our lesson. The South-East has lost a lot of ground through isolationist politics, but we are now ready to build strategic alliances,” he said.
He stressed that the region could not afford to remain politically disconnected, especially when national projects and opportunities were tied to federal collaboration.
His words, “Ala Igbo has to be connected to the centre. We need to be connected to the gas, to the rail and to the many opportunities coming from the federal government.”
Talking about the group, Iyiegbu said the movement was mobilising young professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders across the region to support President Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.
“As young professionals and businessmen and women, we have come out to say we are solidly behind Mr. President and his re-election,” he stated.
Prince Dr Emeka Mamah
Also speaking at the meeting, leader of the City Boy Movement in Enugu State,Prince Dr Emeka Mamah, commended Governor Mbah for what they described as the transformation taking place in the state and pledged to work towards delivering massive support for Tinubu and the governor in future elections.
He said they came to let the governor know that they have a structure and they were working towards delivering President Tinubu and Governor Mbah.
Obinna Iyiegbu inaugurating the City Boy Movement Enugu state , Local Government and wards’ Executives.
Shortly, after the visit, the movement inaugurated it’s Enugu state chapter. The inauguration was performed by the South East, leader, Obinna Iyiegbu. He urged them to mobilize support for President Tinubu and Governor Mbah’s re-election.
The City Boy Movement has in recent months intensified mobilisation across the country as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape.
