A reported power struggle between First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, is raising questions about youth mobilisation ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, according to People’s Gazette.
The dispute reportedly centres on changes to the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s youth mobilisation leadership. In a statement signed by council secretary and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande was named director, while APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel became his deputy.
However, a source told People’s Gazette that the First Lady preferred Israel to lead the directorate because Olawande was seen as close to Seyi and his CityBoy Movement. The source claimed the move to promote Israel was aimed at limiting Seyi’s influence.
The disagreement reportedly extends to CityBoy and Mummy’s Men Movement, a support group Israel introduced in August as a platform for Tinubu’s second-term campaign. The source alleged that the First Lady’s group was created partly to challenge CityBoy’s growing reach.
The source also claimed that, during an August event in Abeokuta, the First Lady directed her security team to stop CityBoy members from attending the commissioning of the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate. Their planned inauguration in Ogun State was later rescheduled.
Tensions allegedly increased after Tinubu praised Seyi’s mobilisation efforts at a State House meeting with CityBoy members.
“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.”
The source claimed the praise angered the First Lady, who felt Seyi’s group was receiving too much credit. These claims have not been independently verified.
