By Rita Mokobia
ASABA/Nigeria: A fresh layer of political activism appears to be taking shape in Delta State following the formal inauguration of the City Boy Movement, a pro-APC political structure that has set an ambitious target of delivering 2.7 million votes for the All Progressives Congress in forthcoming elections.
The movement, unveiled at a high-profile gathering at the Dome Events Centre in Asaba, signalled the beginning of what organisers described as a coordinated grassroots mobilisation campaign aimed at strengthening support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while expanding the ruling party’s political reach across Delta State.
The inauguration ceremony drew party loyalists, youth groups, political stakeholders and supporters from different parts of the state, underscoring growing efforts within the APC to consolidate its structures ahead of future electoral contests.
As part of the inauguration, the movement officially unveiled its Delta State secretariat and swore in members of its state executive council. Hon. Karo Goru emerged as State Director, while Engr. Alex Omaghomi was named Deputy Director. Others inaugurated included Hon. Innocent Esewezie as State Coordinator, Hon. Shedrach Agediga as Deputy State Coordinator, Engr. Michael Anoka as State Leader, and Comrade Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole as State Secretary.
Representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the event, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, described the City Boy Movement as an emerging political force capable of influencing public engagement and voter mobilisation across the state.
Guwor noted that beyond partisan politics, the movement could serve as an important channel for explaining government policies and reforms to ordinary citizens, especially at the grassroots level where misconceptions often shape public perception.
According to him, members of the organisation must see themselves not merely as political supporters, but as advocates responsible for communicating government programmes and policies in ways that are understandable and relatable to the people.
In separate remarks, State Director Karo Goru and State Coordinator Innocent Esewezie assured supporters that the movement was already building structures across all local government areas of the state with the objective of delivering substantial electoral support for the APC.
They expressed confidence that Delta State would play a strategic role in the broader national target of securing 10 million votes for President Tinubu in future elections.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, described the inauguration as a significant political development, particularly for young people seeking greater involvement in governance and democratic participation.
Aniagwu argued that ongoing economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration were gradually laying the foundation for long-term economic recovery and national stability, despite the temporary hardship associated with some of the policies.
He cited developments in agriculture, taxation reforms, energy supply and improving foreign reserves as indicators that the country was adjusting to a new economic direction, adding that the operational impact of the Dangote Refinery could further stabilise Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The National Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Shoga, who formally inaugurated the state executive, described the organisation as a disciplined and structured platform designed to nurture political participation among young people.
Shoga warned that many youth-based political initiatives in the past failed due to poor coordination and lack of sustainable structures, insisting that the City Boy Movement was intentionally designed to avoid those pitfalls through organisation, leadership and continuity.
He charged members of the newly inaugurated executive to move beyond ceremonial politics and focus on building strong grassroots networks capable of sustaining the movement’s visibility and relevance across communities.
The event attracted a broad coalition of youths, political actors and community stakeholders, many of whom viewed the gathering as an indication that political mobilisation ahead of future elections has already begun to gather momentum in Delta State.
Beyond the speeches and public declarations, however, the inauguration reflected a deeper attempt by the APC and its support groups to reconnect with younger voters and reshape political participation through structured grassroots engagement.
For many observers at the Dome Events Centre, the emergence of the City Boy Movement may represent more than another political support group. It may well signal the beginning of a new contest for influence, narrative and voter loyalty in Delta State’s evolving political landscape.
