Seyi Tinubu's role in the 2027 campaign, and what critics say

Seyi Tinubu, the President's son, has become one of the most visible faces of the youth side of President Tinubu's re-election push, through two support groups he leads. President Tinubu said on 19 October that his son “did not ask for a title or an office”. Here is what the reporting shows about his role, and what critics say.

City Boy Movement: Seyi is patron of the movement, set up in 2022 during his father's first presidential campaign. It says it has registered 4.6 million members and has pledged at least 10 million youth votes in January 2027. These are its own figures.

RTIFN: He founded Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, a group that says it explains and defends the government's policies, Vanguard and Leadership reported. It is now planning a rally, medical outreaches and empowerment programmes in Benin City, Edo State.

Working with the campaign: In late August, Seyi met the APC campaign council's Director-General, Abdul'aziz Yari, in Abuja with Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande. Yari said they discussed youth mobilisation for 2027, ThisDay reported.

Colloquium: On 12 October, Seyi hosted the first Seyi Tinubu Colloquium at the Eko Hotel in Lagos. He urged young Nigerians to demand a say in government policy and defended reforms such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, Punch and The Guardian reported.

State House: On 19 October, the President praised the City Boy Movement at the State House and told Seyi to “do more” and “serve harder”. On 24 October, the movement said its mobilisation helped bring young people to the APC campaign flag-off in Kaduna.

What critics say: The ADC's vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, questioned on 30 September where Seyi was getting the money he was spending on his nationwide engagements, saying he had been “throwing money around”, Punch reported. Activist Omoyele Sowore asked what Seyi had contributed to Nigeria to deserve the colloquium, Vanguard and Leadership reported. Earlier this year, the movement's appointment of businessman Obi Cubana as South-East Director drew mixed reactions.

Pidgin: Seyi Tinubu, pikin of President Tinubu, don become one of di main faces for di youth side of im papa re-election campaign, through two support groups wey e dey lead. President Tinubu talk on 19 October say im pikin no ask for title or office. Dis one explain wetin di news talk about im role, and wetin critics dey talk.

How this affects you: Seyi Tinubu is not on the ballot, but he leads two youth-focused groups campaigning for his father's re-election, so expect to see his name and these groups often before the January 2027 vote.

More on the movement: City Boy Movement: what it is, who leads it and latest news