The City Boy Movement has distanced itself from Mr. Adepoju Babatunde Salako following reports linking him to the organisation in connection with an alleged fraud conviction in the United States.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Abdullahi, described the claims as false, misleading and politically motivated.
According to the organisation, Salako has never been a member, official or representative of the movement at any level.
“Mr. Adepoju Babatunde Salako is not a member of the City Boy Movement and has never held any office, appointment, or official position whatsoever within the structure of the Movement at the national, zonal, state, diaspora, or international level,” the statement said.
The group further stated that Salako was never authorised to act as a coordinator, spokesperson, mobilisation officer or representative of the organisation either in the United States or elsewhere.
“The City Boy Movement completely dissociates itself from the said individual and from every publication, insinuation, or narrative attempting to create a false relationship between him and the Movement,” the statement added.
The movement alleged that attempts to associate Salako with the organisation were part of broader efforts to discredit support groups aligned with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling political bloc.
According to the group, earlier reports concerning the alleged fraud case did not mention the City Boy Movement, raising questions about subsequent claims linking Salako to the organisation.
The statement also referenced reports that allegedly identified Salako as a coordinator of another pro-Tinubu platform known as “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria,” arguing that the conflicting descriptions exposed attempts at indiscriminate political attribution.
While stressing that it was not seeking to interfere in any legal proceedings involving Salako, the organisation maintained that all citizens are entitled to fair hearing and due process under the law.
However, it insisted that it would not allow individuals with no connection to its activities to be linked to the movement.
“The City Boy Movement cannot and will not accept false attribution, reputational manipulation, or deliberate attempts to create artificial relationships where none exist,” the statement said.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to youth mobilisation, democratic participation and national development, describing itself as a disciplined and law-abiding organisation that supports the political vision of President Tinubu.
It subsequently urged members of the public and media organisations to disregard any report linking Adepoju Salako to the City Boy Movement in any capacity.
