“It Was A Political Gathering, Not A Coronation”: Seyi Tinubu Defends Heavy Security

President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, has responded to Isaac Fayose’s criticism of the heavy security presence at the Port Harcourt City Boy Walk, clarifying that the deployment was for a political gathering and not an attempt to intimidate anyone.

The exchange has reignited a debate about the use of state security apparatus for private political events, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE CRITICISM

Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, had questioned the rationale behind the deployment of a large number of security personnel for the City Boy Walk in Port Harcourt.

Fayose, who has been a vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, argued that the heavy security presence was excessive for a walk organised by the President’s son and suggested that it amounted to a misuse of state resources.

THE RESPONSE

Seyi Tinubu did not directly address Fayose by name in his response, but he made clear that the security was provided because the event was a political gathering, not a private stroll.

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He explained that the City Boy Movement is a political structure supporting the re-election of President Tinubu, and that any political gathering of that nature is entitled to security protection.

The response framed the security deployment as a standard procedure for political events, rather than a special privilege extended to the President’s son.

THE CONTEXT

The City Boy Movement has become a visible presence in the 2027 campaign, organising walks and rallies across the country in support of President Tinubu’s re-election.

The movement’s activities have drawn scrutiny, particularly after a video surfaced showing an executive of the movement, Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, allegedly attacking Omoyele Sowore’s team with a machete in Ekiti State.

The police have not arrested Ifeoluwa despite the video evidence.

THE ANALYTICAL LENS

Isaac Fayose’s question is not about Seyi Tinubu’s right to walk. It is about who pays for the security, and why.

Every political gathering in Nigeria requires security. But the scale of the deployment at the City Boy Walk, and the fact that it was organised by the President’s son, raises legitimate questions about the use of public resources for private political purposes.

Seyi Tinubu’s response, that the security was for a political gathering, is technically correct.

The City Boy Movement is a political structure. Political gatherings are entitled to police protection.

But the distinction between a political gathering and a private event organised by the President’s family is not always clear, and the perception of privilege is damaging.

The exchange between Fayose and Tinubu is a microcosm of the broader debate about the 2027 campaign.

The President’s son is a political actor. His movement is a campaign vehicle. And the security that protects him is paid for by the public.

Whether that is acceptable depends on whether the public believes the movement is serving their interests or the President’s.

Fayose has asked the question. Tinubu has given his answer. The public will decide whether they accept it. ValidViewNetwork reports.