By Gbolahan Salman, Sokoto
A fresh leadership crisis appears to be brewing among support groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a demand for the removal and replacement of the state leadership of the City Boy Movement.
The development came to the fore on Thursday when a coalition of APC support groups, led by its Chairman, Comrade Jamilu Suleiman Gandhi, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the City Boy Movement was being run in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, Gandhi said the coalition remained committed to the APC and would mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, in the 2027 elections.
However, he said the group was concerned that the City Boy Movement, established to mobilise grassroots and youth support for the APC, was not operating effectively in Sokoto State.
Gandhi said, “In other states of the federation, the City Boy Movement is functioning very well. Unfortunately, Sokoto State is lagging behind. We are calling on the national leadership responsible for coordinating the movement to come to our aid.”
The coalition alleged that the current state leadership had demonstrated what it described as insubordination to government and party leadership, weak grassroots mobilisation, poor youth engagement and disregard for established party structures.
It also accused the leadership of failing to adequately engage party leaders, government officials, youth leaders, local coordinators and other stakeholders, warning that continued leadership under the circumstances could create division and undermine political coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Gandhi, “We are not happy with the way and manner the State Director of the City Boy Movement is handling the office. We therefore demand immediate action on the matter and a review of his continued appointment.”
The coalition further raised concerns over the composition of the state structure, alleging that the appointment of individuals who were not indigenous to Sokoto into key positions could weaken local ownership and grassroots acceptance of the movement.
Gandhi said the coalition wanted a new leadership that would be physically present in the state, have strong grassroots connections and be capable of mobilising young people for the party.
“We need a leader who is grassroots-oriented, loyal to the party and government leadership, physically present in Sokoto, capable of mobilising the youth and respectful of established party structures,” he said.
The coalition called on the national leadership of the City Boy Movement to work with APC stakeholders and youth leaders in Sokoto to constitute what it described as a more effective state structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Organising Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Sufiaynu, identified Honourable Mash’ud Musa Bashar as the current leader of the City Boy Movement in Sokoto State.
The development has raised questions about the unity and coordination of APC support groups in the state as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Efforts to get the reaction of the CBM leader in the state was not successful but a member of his executive committee who spoke on condition of anonymity simply respond that the movement will respond to all the allegations after due consultation.
