November 1, 2026
The Ndigbo for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT) has urged Mr Seyi Tinubu, Convener of the City Boy Movement, to take a more active role in strengthening the relationship between Ndigbo, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group believes that any serious attempt by the APC to improve its electoral performance in the Southeast must begin with direct engagement with the people, rather than relying on political consultations and meetings in Abuja.
NDI-ABAT argued that Seyi Tinubu should personally lead a renewed outreach to influential Igbo stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, community figures and grassroots organisations, particularly those who remain unconvinced about the APC’s leadership and political direction in the region.
The forum maintained that the party cannot expect a different electoral outcome in the Southeast by repeating strategies that failed to deliver the region’s presidential votes in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
According to the group, the previous election results should serve as a lesson that Ndigbo must be engaged, respected and given a genuine sense of belonging in the national political process.
It identified Seyi Tinubu as someone who could help bridge the gap between the Presidency and the Southeast by facilitating conversations, building relationships and addressing concerns that have continued to shape the region’s political choices.
NDI-ABAT also drew attention to internal disagreements, leadership rivalries and divisions within the APC in the Southeast, warning that the absence of political unity and effective coordination could further undermine the party’s chances in 2027.
The group stressed that the partnership between the City Boy Movement and NDI-ABAT should go beyond political association and translate into practical stakeholder engagement and grassroots mobilisation.
It disclosed that the forum had developed a strategic framework for reaching political and community stakeholders, rebuilding confidence and strengthening support for President Tinubu across the Southeast. The group expressed its readiness to work with Seyi Tinubu in implementing the proposed strategy.
NDI-ABAT further clarified that its appeal was not for another political visit or ceremonial gathering but for sustained engagement, honest conversations and practical steps capable of addressing the concerns of Ndigbo.
It maintained that winning the Southeast would require a deliberate effort to earn the confidence of the people, rather than relying on political assumptions or expecting automatic support.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, the forum believes the City Boy Movement has an opportunity to contribute significantly to changing the APC’s electoral fortunes in the region through genuine partnership, inclusive politics and consistent grassroots engagement.
The position was conveyed by the group’s National Coordinator, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary-General, Dr Uvwuoke Ugwuoke Jr., who called for immediate and sustained efforts to establish stronger political connections between the Presidency and the Southeast.
The group maintained that the path to greater APC acceptance in the region lies in trust, respect and meaningful engagement with Ndigbo.