The Imo State chapter of the City Boy Movement has refuted allegations of violence and stampede linked to the recently concluded Renewed Hope National Youth Tour in Owerri, insisting that the reports are unfounded and driven by political mischief.
Speaking at a media briefing, the State Coordinator, Prince Francis Uzor, alongside the State Leader, Dr Ijeoma Kalu, and the State Organizing Secretary, Dr Moses Odeghe, maintained that the programme was conducted in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere.
They insisted that no form of violence disrupted the activities, contrary to circulating claims, stressing that the South-East edition of the youth tour, held between March 13 and 14, 2026, was designed as a large-scale empowerment initiative targeting over 20,000 young people across the region.
According to the leadership, the programme focused on entrepreneurship development, digital capacity building, and agricultural support.
The event, spearheaded by Seyi Tinubu and key figures within the movement, featured interactive sessions, training workshops, and the distribution of various empowerment tools.
Beneficiaries received items such as laptops, financial grants, mobile devices, generators, vocational kits, and machinery aimed at boosting small-scale enterprises.
Organizers further noted that beyond material empowerment, the initiative also served as a platform to enlighten participants on policies and programmes under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly those aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They added that several government representatives utilized the forum to highlight available opportunities for youths and entrepreneurs, especially within the South-East, reinforcing the administration’s development-driven approach.
Addressing the controversy surrounding alleged stampede incidents, the movement clarified that while there was momentary crowd impatience due to the large turnout, the situation remained controlled and did not degenerate into any form of violence.
They said that mischief makers only captured the momentary crowd impatience, but ignored the distribution of items, they said, was ultimately carried out in an organized and systematic manner.
The group also revealed that Seyi Tinubu personally ensured that the empowerment materials were delivered to the intended beneficiaries, stressing transparency and fairness throughout the process.
Reacting to negative narratives, the movement accused certain political interests of deliberately spreading false information to undermine the success of the programme, particularly in light of the massive participation recorded.
They further condemned attempts to demean attendees through derogatory labels, describing such remarks as efforts to discredit a well-attended and impactful initiative. According to them, the presence of branded materials and organized participation reflected the structured nature of the programme.
Reaffirming its stance, the City Boy Movement pledged continued support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging sustained implementation of youth-focused policies that drive national growth.
The group also expressed optimism that the South-East region would remain a critical partner in advancing the administration’s vision for economic transformation and youth empowerment.
