Suspended Organising Secretary of the City Boy Movement (CBM), Abia State Chapter, Dr. Charles Ukeagu, has called for peace, reconciliation and unity among members of the Movement following the leadership dispute that triggered a protest by some youths and supporters in Umuahia.
Ukeagu, who was handed a six-month suspension by the Movement, said internal disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the organisation’s collective objective, particularly its grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking against the backdrop of the protest over his suspension, Ukeagu maintained that he remained open to dialogue with the State Director, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu), and other principal officers of the Movement.
“I am 100 percent willing for reconciliation. Abia State belongs to all of us. Nobody can intimidate one another. Let us give peace a chance,” Ukeagu said.
According to him, several attempts had previously been made to resolve disagreements among the leadership through meetings and dialogue, stressing that personal differences should not overshadow the Movement’s stated political objective of mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have one mandate, and that mandate is to re-elect Mr. President,” he stated.
The suspended Organising Secretary said the disagreement arose from concerns he raised about the administration of the Movement, including internal communication, appointments, transparency and the handling of members.
He questioned the suspension of members at a time when the organisation should be expanding its grassroots structure, arguing that every additional member strengthens its mobilisation capacity.
“Every new member into City Boy is an addition to us. So why are we now bent on wanting to remove people? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Ukeagu also alleged that some decisions within the Movement were being taken without adequate consultation, maintaining that proper administrative procedures and accountability were necessary to preserve confidence among members.
He further argued that City Boy platforms should promote the collective objectives of the Movement rather than the personal political ambitions of individual members.
Despite his concerns, Ukeagu insisted that reconciliation remained his preferred option, calling on all parties to put the interests of the organisation above individual differences.
Ukeagu’s appeal came after some youths and supporters staged a peaceful protest in Umuahia demanding the reversal of his suspension.
The State Campus Youth Leader, Comrade Emeka Kenneth Uche, popularly known as Prince of Igbo, said the protesters were not seeking confrontation but wanted the leadership to resolve the dispute amicably.
“We are not here to fight. We have the right as Nigerian citizens to protest peacefully and express our grievances. We respect our leaders, but whatever issue exists should be settled amicably,” Uche said.
He appealed to the leadership of the Movement, including Seyi Tinubu, to intervene to prevent the disagreement from creating deeper divisions within the Abia structure.
Leadership Insists Suspension Followed Due Process
Meanwhile, the Deputy State Director of the Movement, Hon. Prince Chukwuemeka Osoagbaka, speaking on behalf of State Director Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, defended the disciplinary action against Ukeagu.
Osoagbaka said the suspension followed allegations of insubordination and conduct considered detrimental to executive harmony within the organisation.
According to him, a committee investigated the matter and recommended the suspension, while the national leadership was subsequently notified and approved the decision.
He stressed that Ukeagu had not been expelled from the City Boy Movement and could challenge the disciplinary action through the organisation’s established internal channels.
“The process was duly followed. A committee was set up that found his insubordination unbearable and not in the interest of executive synergy within the organisation,” Osoagbaka said.
Despite the disagreement, both sides reiterated their commitment to the City Boy Movement and its political objectives.
Ukeagu urged the leadership to embrace dialogue, insisting that reconciliation would enable members to close ranks and concentrate on strengthening the Movement across Abia State.
“Let us give peace a chance,” he said. “We can only achieve our purpose when we work together.”
