Tinubu 2027: Saidi Balogun, Yakubu Mohammed, Shehu Abdullahi Lead City Boy’s Entertainment, Sports Mobilisation
Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the City Boy Movement (CBM) has unveiled a high-powered entertainment and sports mobilisation structure designed to take President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign deep into Nigeria’s creative industry and grassroots sports communities.
Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Saidi Balogun, has been appointed National Director of the movement’s Entertainment and Sports Directorate, with Kannywood star Yakubu Mohammed and former Super Eagles defender Shehu Abdullahi serving as Deputy Directors in charge of Entertainment and Sports respectively.
The appointments bring together three influential figures with strong followership across Nigeria’s entertainment and sporting communities, in what the movement described as a strategic effort to connect with young voters through popular culture, football, film, music and grassroots engagement.
The structure is expected to strengthen the CBM’s mobilisation drive across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, particularly among young Nigerians who form a critical bloc in the 2027 election.
Balogun Takes Charge
Balogun, a prominent figure in Nollywood and a native of Oyo State, is expected to coordinate the directorate’s overall strategy while leveraging his relationships within the Nigerian creative industry.
Speaking on the mandate, Balogun said the movement would deploy entertainment and sports as tools for political communication and youth engagement.
«“We are not just asking young people to vote; we are engaging them through the channels they love most—movies, music, theatre, and sports.»
«“President Tinubu’s structural reforms are laying the foundation for a prosperous Nigeria, and our mandate is to make sure that story is told clearly, authentically, and convincingly across every nook and cranny of this country.”»
Yakubu Mohammed Takes Message to the North
Yakubu Mohammed, a leading figure in Kannywood, is expected to strengthen the movement’s penetration across Hausa-speaking communities and northern youth networks.
His experience across Kannywood and Nollywood is expected to provide the CBM with a bridge between Nigeria’s major entertainment centres and grassroots audiences across the North.
Mohammed said the movement would deploy indigenous languages and cultural platforms to communicate the administration’s message.
«“Language and culture are the most effective bridges for communication.»
«“Through Kannywood, creative skits, and grassroots town halls, we are taking the achievements of this administration directly to the streets, marketplaces and digital platforms in the language the people understand best.”»
Shehu Abdullahi Mobilises Sports Community
Former Super Eagles defender Shehu Abdullahi will lead the sports component of the directorate.
The Sokoto-born footballer, who represented Nigeria at U-20, U-23 and senior international levels and was part of the bronze-winning Olympic football team at the 2016 Rio Games, is expected to leverage his connections with footballers, academies, coaches, sports administrators and grassroots sporting organisations.
According to Abdullahi, sports provides an avenue to reach young Nigerians beyond conventional political rallies.
«“Sports is Nigeria’s ultimate unifier.»
«“Through grassroots talent discovery tournaments, novelty exhibition matches with retired legends, and sports summits, we are creating platforms to engage millions of young voters.”»
Entertainment, Sports Become 2027 Mobilisation Tools
The CBM’s strategy represents an attempt to move political mobilisation beyond conventional rallies and political meetings by deploying celebrities, athletes, digital content and cultural events to reach a younger electorate.
With Nollywood, Kannywood and the football community represented in the directorate, the movement hopes to build a cross-regional mobilisation network capable of taking the Tinubu campaign message into entertainment hubs, markets, sports academies, youth communities and online platforms.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, the City Boy Movement says its entertainment and sports team is preparing for nationwide deployment.
The objective is clear: turn celebrity influence, cultural identity and sporting passion into a grassroots political mobilisation machine for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
