|By Adejumo Adekunle
A support group of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the City Boy Movement, has responded to the looting of palliative and empowerment materials during its sensitization rally held in Owerri, Imo State.
The rally, organised as part of the Renewed Hope National Tour for the South-East, witnessed a disruption when a crowd surged forward to seize items that had been displayed for distribution. The materials included food items, mobile phones, sewing machines, grinding machines and other empowerment tools intended for beneficiaries.
The incident occurred shortly after the distribution exercise began, resulting in chaos and a stampede as individuals scrambled to collect the items.
Some observers linked the development to the rising level of economic hardship in the country under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the same leader in whose support the programme was organised.
However, the City Boy Movement, led by businessman Obinna Iyiegbu, dismissed the claims, suggesting that the disruption may have been orchestrated by outsiders who infiltrated the event.
In a statement, the South-East spokesperson of the movement, Uche Nworah, said the disruption was unfortunate but should not overshadow the intention behind the programme.
According to him, the empowerment initiative, which commenced on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Heroes Square, was designed to support youths, market traders and other vulnerable groups across the five South-East states.
He explained that the empowerment items earmarked for beneficiaries from Abia State, Anambra State, Imo State, Ebonyi State and Enugu State included shuttle buses, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, smartphones for content creators, generator sets, laptops, cash grants, farming kits, fertilizers and hair salon equipment.
Nworah stated that the programme had been progressing smoothly until some unidentified individuals suddenly stormed the venue and began carting away the items meant for distribution.
He said the unexpected development created panic within the crowd and led to the stampede.
“I was present at the event and witnessed what transpired firsthand. It is therefore quite unfortunate to see the negative spin being given to the incident in some quarters,” he added.
