Senate President Godswill Akpabio says opposition parties will allege electoral fraud if President Bola Tinubu wins his re-election battle.
Akpabio spoke on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of
the City Boy Movement during a courtesy visit to his office.
He described the group as a growing political force and
commended its efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“The City Boy Movement is like a wind blowing across the
nation. You may not see it, but you can feel it. Every political party in
Nigeria is already feeling the impact of the City Boy Movement,” he said.
“Never again shall we have a situation in any polling unit
in Nigeria where Mr. President will not have an agent because we have the City
Boy Movement.
“In the last election, if your movement had existed, many of
our votes that were not counted in many polling units would have been counted.
“I want you to have it in mind that you have come up at the
right time and I do know that you are all poised to ensure maximum victory come
2027.”
Akpabio urged members of the movement to intensify voter
mobilisation and remain focused ahead of the next general election.
“Know that while you are doing all these and you are going
round the country mobilising, sensitising the populace, the voters, educating
them, other political parties are sleeping,” he said.
“They are not doing the same. But when the victory of
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be announced, you will hear people saying it
is rigged. That they did this, they did that. Ignore all those things and
remain focused.”
Akpabio said the movement provides an opportunity for young
Nigerians to prepare themselves for future leadership roles.
“This is now your turn to shape your future. This is your
turn to take the lead on how Nigeria should go,” he said.
“I know that as you campaign for the president, you are also
learning and acquiring knowledge on how to mobilise and campaign for yourselves
in future.”
The senate president, who is also the grand patron of the
City Boy Movement, said the national assembly supports young people who choose
constructive engagement over crime and violence.
“So what I will say is that we are with you. The Senate of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased with the youths of this country who
have decided to tow the right path,” he added.
“We are mindful of the fact that some youths, as a result of
cultism and drug abuse, have fallen aside and are misguided.
“But when they say ‘build the youths’, because they are the
future of the nation, I also want to urge ‘maintain the elders’, because they
are the people today that God has given wisdom to.”
Akpabio urged members of the movement to remain disciplined
and committed to nation-building.
“It is not a tragedy when a nonentity whimpers through life
and ends up a failure in the grave,” he said.
“But it is a tragedy when a potentially achieving young man
or woman, out of a flaw in his or her character, becomes a failure and ends up
in the grave.
“Where you are now, you are privileged to work for the
future of your country. You are privileged to tow the right path that has
nothing to do with cultism or terrorism.
“You are privileged to chart the path of the next
administration. You are also privileged to belong to the incoming government of
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. It will be a tragedy for any of you to
derail. We assure you that here we are 100 percent with you.”
Earlier, Francis Shoga, director-general of the City Boy
Movement, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the
group and the national assembly.
“We seek your continued guidance and support as we expand
our programmes across the country, deepen civic engagement among young
Nigerians and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Shoga said.
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