President Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), jokingly thanking the opposition party for keeping him alert as he addressed supporters of the CityBoy Movement and the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) group in Abuja.
Speaking during a ceremonial meeting with the support groups on Monday, Tinubu made the remark while commending their mobilization efforts and organizational structures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Some people thought by now I would be tired and sleepy since I arrived here on time, thank you ADC,” the President said, in an apparent reference to the political contest and opposition activities surrounding the forthcoming election.
The remark comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential race, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar associated with the ADC as its presidential candidate, according to the supplied report.
Tinubu expressed confidence in the capacity of the support groups to strengthen his grassroots political network, saying their organizational efforts would allow him to return home and “sleep soundly.”
Tinubu Praises CityBoy Movement’s Structure
The President singled out the CityBoy Movement for what he described as a new approach to political mobilization in Nigeria, noting that its activities went beyond assembling crowds at political gatherings.
“The CityBoy Movement, to all of you, you have done something new in Nigeria politics. You did not just gather people; you built a structure, millions of real, verifiable members,” Tinubu said.
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He highlighted the movement’s claimed nationwide presence, which he said extended across states, local government areas, wards and polling units.
“You have a presence in every state, every local government, every ward, down to the polling units,” he stated.
The President’s remarks placed emphasis on grassroots organization and the establishment of networks capable of maintaining contact with supporters at the community level.
CityBoy Care and Youth Engagement
Tinubu also commended the movement for its engagement with young Nigerians through its call centre and community outreach initiative, CityBoy Care.
According to the President, the call centre provides a channel for listening to young people and understanding the needs of their communities, while CityBoy Care focuses on engaging members where they live.
“You drilled down; a call centre that speaks to young Nigerians every day and listens to whatever their community needs. CityBoy Care, meeting members where they live,” he said.
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He described these initiatives as examples of organized grassroots engagement, suggesting that effective political mobilization requires more than publicity and attendance at political rallies.
The President’s comments underscored the importance he attaches to maintaining communication with supporters and establishing a network capable of reaching communities across the country.
Tinubu Expresses Confidence Ahead of 2027 Election
With the 2027 general election approaching, political parties and support organizations are strengthening their structures and preparing to mobilize voters across Nigeria.
Tinubu’s remarks highlighted his confidence in the CityBoy Movement and the RTIFN group to sustain grassroots engagement and support his political ambitions.
The President’s reference to the ADC also brought the opposition party into the conversation, reflecting the political competition surrounding the forthcoming presidential election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is listed as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), placing the party among the political platforms preparing to challenge Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Tinubu’s comments focused largely on the organization and reach of his support groups, the emphasis on grassroots networks points to the role political mobilization may play in the build-up to the election.
Concluding his remarks, the President expressed confidence that the groups’ efforts would enable him to rest easy, saying their mobilization work would allow him to return home and “sleep soundly.”
His comments have added another talking point to Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political discourse, as attention increasingly turns to party structures, voter engagement and the activities of political support groups.
