By Seyi Odewale
The Ndigbo for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT) has hailed its strategic partnership with the City Boy Movement, describing the alliance as a major step towards strengthening grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group said the partnership would expand political engagement with Ndigbo and other stakeholders while creating a broader platform for dialogue on development, economic empowerment and national integration.
The collaboration was reached during a meeting between NDI-ABAT members and the Patron of the City Boy Movement, Barrister Seyi Tinubu, alongside other members of the movement, in Abuja last weekend.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary General, Dr Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jr, the group said the partnership with the City Boy Movement marked a new phase in its political mobilisation strategy.
NDI-ABAT projected that the collaboration could help mobilise 11 million votes from the South-East for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The organisation said its engagement would target communities, business groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders across the country, with emphasis on encouraging voters to assess political leadership through policies, development outcomes and measurable achievements.
NDI-ABAT identified the creation of an additional state in the South-East as one of the major issues it would advance through its political engagement.
The group noted that the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone with five states, despite decades of demands for greater administrative representation and balance.
It said it would sustain engagement with the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders on proposals for an additional state, including Aba State, Anioma State or another option acceptable to the region.
The group expressed optimism that continued dialogue could move the issue forward, describing it as an important component of its engagement with the people.
NDI-ABAT also identified the completion of ongoing Federal Government infrastructure projects in the South-East between 2026 and 2031 as another priority.
It commended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure interventions in the region and the efforts of the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
The group argued that visible infrastructure delivery remained critical to building public confidence and demonstrating the practical impact of government policies.
It also said economic empowerment would feature prominently in its mobilisation campaign, particularly for Igbo youths, traders and entrepreneurs operating across the South-East, South-West, northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
According to NDI-ABAT, improved access to economic opportunities and support for small businesses would help strengthen confidence between government and citizens.
The organisation said the partnership would also seek to reverse the electoral setbacks suffered by the All Progressives Congress in several regions during the 2023 election.
It expressed confidence that sustained grassroots mobilisation would improve Tinubu’s electoral performance in the South-East, Delta State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory.
NDI-ABAT said its political activities would be based on peaceful, lawful and democratic engagement, urging voters to make their choices based on national interest, development, fairness and accountability.
“Political decisions should be guided by national interest, development, fairness, and accountability,” the group said.
The organisation said the outcomes of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections had provided Nigerians with lessons for assessing political leadership and making informed electoral choices.
As part of its mobilisation programme, NDI-ABAT announced plans to hold the Asiwaju Summit in Asaba, Delta State, on August 31, 2026.
It will also convene an Igbo Town Hall Meeting in Lagos on September 14, 2026, to discuss political participation, economic empowerment and regional development.
The group said the events would provide opportunities for direct engagement with stakeholders and further strengthen its mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
NDI-ABAT reaffirmed its commitment to working with the City Boy Movement and other partners to build support for Tinubu while advancing issues it considers important to the socio-economic and political interests of Ndigbo.
It said the partnership ultimately seeks to deepen political participation, promote national unity and advance development opportunities for the South-East and Nigeria as a whole.
