The suspended Organising Secretary of the City Boy Movement in Abia State, Dr. Charles Ukeagu, has appealed for calm and reconciliation following protests by youths and supporters of the movement over his suspension.
The protesters, comprising youths and student members of the City Boy Movement, gathered at the group’s headquarters in Umuahia to demand the reversal of Ukeagu’s suspension by the state Director, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe.
Speaking during the protest, the State Campus Youth Leader, Emeka Kenneth Uche, popularly known as Prince of Igbo, described Ukeagu as one of the key figures behind the expansion of the movement across the South-East.
Uche said Ukeagu had contributed significantly to the organisation’s growth through his administrative experience and mobilisation efforts.
He appealed to the leadership of the movement to reconsider the suspension and resolve the disagreement amicably. He also called on Seyi Tinubu, whom he described as a national leader of the movement, to intervene in the matter.
Reacting to his suspension, Ukeagu said he had committed no offence warranting the action, claiming that his position was based on his insistence that the organisation’s activities should be conducted in a manner that would strengthen its structure and support its political objectives.
He specifically cited his objection to the appointment of a Deputy Director, alleging that the appointee was from the same constituency as the state Director.
According to Ukeagu, the arrangement could create an impression that the movement was being concentrated in one constituency, particularly as some other principal officers, including himself and the patron, were also from the same area.
Ukeagu disclosed that he had received a six-month suspension letter, describing the decision as counterproductive, given what he said was his contribution to building the movement’s administrative structure and mobilising members.
He questioned the timing of the suspension, arguing that the movement should instead be focused on expanding its membership and strengthening mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The suspended official maintained that every new member was important to the growth of the movement and urged its leadership to prioritise unity over internal divisions.
Despite the disagreement, Ukeagu said he remained open to reconciliation, calling for restraint and peaceful resolution of the crisis in the interest of the movement and its political objectives.
