Idris Zekeri, a social commentator, activist, and electoral reform advocate, has criticised the “City Boy Movement”, describing it as a platform designed to protect politically exposed wealth.
Zekeri made the remark during a recent interview on BTC Podcast.
He dismissed the movement as lacking substance and failing to address critical issues affecting Nigerians.
“There is no city, there is no boy, there is no movement. It is a waste of time even discussing them,” he said.
Zekeri faulted what he described as misplaced priorities, arguing that political actors prioritise campaign optics over essential services.
He pointed to the absence of ambulances in key institutions and along major routes. He contrasted this with the provision of branded buses for political campaigns.
“You have buses to take people to campaign, but you don’t have ambulances to save lives,” he said.
He stressed that emergency situations often leave citizens without access to healthcare or transport.
“If you have an accident along the Benin-Ore expressway, it is between you and your God. There may not even be a hospital nearby,” he said.
Zekeri described the movement as a contradiction. He said it prioritises political mobilisation over public welfare.
According to him, individuals behind the movement seek protection for questionable wealth.
“What we have are politically engineered billionaires who have gathered themselves. They are seeking state protection by supporting the president in power,” he said.
He alleged that such individuals rely on political support to shield unexplained wealth and maintain influence.
“Unexplained, unexplainable wealth, and then they call themselves a movement,” he said.
COLLECT THEIR RICE
Zekeri also criticised the use of material incentives, such as food items, to win public support.
“And when they see that people are not happy with them, they bring out rice,” he said.
However, he urged Nigerians to collect such items but remain politically conscious.
“Take the rice. It is yours. If I needed it, I would take it too. Then we meet at the polls,” he said.
