Obi Cubana and the City Boy Mandate by Chibuike Onyeukwu

In Nigeria’s public space, influence rarely expands without resistance. The appointment of entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana as Director of the City Boy Movement for the South East has once again brought this familiar dynamic to the fore. While the development has been welcomed by many as timely and strategic, it has also elicited negative reactions from a section of commentators. A more dispassionate look, however, suggests that much of the criticism is indeed misplaced.

Obi Cubana is not a stranger to public attention. Over the years, through Grace of God and the dint of hard work, he has built a persona defined by accessibility, warmth and an uncommon ability to connect across social and professional divides. His success story, rooted in enterprise and resilience has resonated widely, particularly among young Nigerians navigating aspiration in a complex economy.

Importantly, the Oba, Anambra State socialite, has largely maintained a non-partisan posture, earning respect through tangible impact in business and community development. This broad acceptability explains why his name carries weight across sectors and why his voice commands attention far beyond conventional political boundaries.

His decision to accept the role of Director of the City Boy Movement, a support platform for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the South East should therefore be understood strictly within a strategic framework, not through sentiment or emotion. The assignment comes at a critical moment when the region continues to grapple with questions of deliberate inclusion in the mainstream of national governance. For too long, the South East has oscillated between grievance and withdrawal, often at great cost to its collective relevance.

For the many creative, enterprising and energetic young people in the South East who lament their disconnect from political processes and national decision-making, this appointment, indeed, offers a pathway to engagement. The CBM positions itself as a platform for mobilization and political enlightenment, especially among young Nigerians. In this regard, Obi Cubana’s credibility, reach and cultural relevance make him a logical choice.

With the standing he enjoys in the society, expectations are naturally high that he can galvanize support and help reposition the South East closer to the centre as a pragmatic pursuit of collective benefit. In today’s Nigeria, access, engagement and influence matter, this reality, therefore, cannot be wished away.

Since the announcement, Obi Cubana has continued to receive solidarity and congratulatory messages from friends, associates and well-wishers across the country, in various media platforms. This underscores the confidence many have in his capacity to deliver on the mandate. These gestures reflect long-standing relationships built on trust, consistency, and visible impact.

Yet, criticism persists. Some objections stem from a misunderstanding of the times and what is truly at stake for the South East in a dynamic environment. Others, I dare say, appear rooted in envy, jealousy and habitual opposition, without practical alternative. A significant strand of the backlash is driven by those who believe that he should have aligned politically with Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

While such expectations may be emotionally driven, they cannot override established democratic principles. Freedom of association remains a cornerstone of any plural society. Obi Cubana, like every citizen, retains the right to make choices based on personal conviction and perceived capacity to add value. He has neither fouled the air nor violated any tradition.

Political choices, it must be emphasized, are often driven by interests, convictions and strategic calculations. This has remained the case since Nigeria’s previous Republics. Across political eras, leaders and influential figures have aligned where they believe both personal and collective interests can best be advanced. Such alignments are neither novel nor aberrant, rather they are intrinsic to democratic politics.

Several distinguished Nigerians of South East extraction have aligned with the centre for strategic reasons. Former Senate Presidents Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani did so for national relevance and regional leverage. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has also found alignment necessary to navigate governance and development priorities. Recently, also, Chief Olisa Metuh, once a formidable opposition figure, saw reasons to engage the centre. These examples show that political engagement is often strategy, not betrayal.

This does not place Obi Cubana beyond criticism. He is not immune to scrutiny, nor should he be. However, criticism must be objective and constructive and not an attempt to drown a man who has consistently projected the South East positively as a successful businessman and role model. His impact on the younger generation through job creation, mentorship, cultural promotion, and inspiration is widely acknowledged and difficult to dismiss.

His recent chieftaincy titles, Okpataozuora “one whose wealth touches many” and IfeIgbojikamba “Outstanding Igbo Icon”, capture a philosophy of shared hope and prosperity. That same ethos is expected to guide his approach to this assignment.

The symbolic handing over of his appointment letter by Dr. Seyi Tinubu, son of the President and founder of the City Boy Movement, at his Abuja residence reinforces the confidence placed in him. More importantly, it signals another critical opening for the South East. This is the time for the region to board the ship and be counted, actively and strategically.

It is regrettable that the South East has, in the past, lost opportunities and relevance by allowing emotional politics to override realism and pragmatism. Such preference for a cocoon of uncertainties over progressive engagement has come at a cost. That is the vista Obi Cubana’s mandate opens. Put succinctly, an opportunity to rethink strategy, broaden alliances and pursue inclusion without losing identity, is set before us.

Ultimately, Obi’s success in this role will not be personal alone;. Nah. It will reflect on the South East as a whole. He is therefore, encouraged to pursue aggressive but strategic enlightenment and information programmes that engage the people, particularly the youth and mobilize them effectively toward realizing the mandate of the Movement.

Progress, it is said, often belongs to those willing to engage the moment. Obi has chosen to do so. The South East must make the best of this opportunity without any ‘boras’.

Dr. Onyeukwu, journalist, development advocate and strategy and communications expert, writes from Abuja.

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