Germany-based Nigerian public intellectual, Dr. Franklyne Ogbunwezeh, has said that the individuals behind the “City Boy Movement,” which is pushing for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are primarily motivated by personal gain rather than the collective interests of Nigerians.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Ogbunwezeh criticized what he described as a growing culture among young Nigerians who aspire to wealth without corresponding effort or innovation. According to him, this mindset has contributed to the rise of criminal practices, including so-called “money rituals,” fueled by the belief that wealth can be acquired through supernatural means.
He argued, however, that money is created and controlled by state institutions, not spiritual forces. “Anybody who thinks will realize that it is the government that creates money,” he said, adding that the young billionaires associated with the City Boy Movement have realized this and are aligning themselves closely with those in government to benefit from public resources. He accused them of seeking access to state largesse at the expense of ordinary citizens, rather than contributing to national development or promoting the common good.
Drawing a comparison with China, he said the Asian nation’s leadership prioritizes long-term societal progress. He described China as not only “the engine that drives the world’s economy” but also “the factory of the world,” contrasting its rapid infrastructural growth with what he characterized as Nigeria’s slower pace of development. The lawyer further said that it is ironic that corrupt public officials in Nigeria siphon state funds and spend them on luxury goods produced in China rather than investing in their country’s development.
The former Director of the Africa Department at the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), based in Frankfurt, also expressed his disappointment with Nigeria’s democratic experience. He said he no longer believes democracy is the best form of government, as he has seen no tangible benefits it has brought to ordinary citizens, citing widespread voter apathy and declining public trust in the electoral process. According to him, many Nigerians no longer feel their votes count, leading to widespread voter apathy in recent elections.
“You can see that in Nigeria, people no longer care about democracy. There is worsening voter apathy. Nigeria has one of the highest rates of voter apathy in the world. People no longer bother going out to vote on election day. They have left the process to the politicians to do whatever they want because they believe that their votes don’t count,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria is expending significant resources on elections without achieving meaningful civic engagement or development outcomes.
He also condemned what he described as the normalization of corruption in Nigeria, where public officials allegedly flaunt unexplained wealth. At the same time, security personnel are deployed to protect elites rather than serve the broader population.
“Corruption is often rewarded in Nigeria, so everybody wants to be like the local politician who flaunts his ill-gotten wealth with impunity. Anybody who has made a few bucks will be seen moving around with police escorts. The police that should be protecting the public are now guiding a few elites with weapons paid for by the taxpayer,” Ogbunwezeh posited.
The remarks have added to ongoing debates about governance, youth aspirations, corruption, and democratic accountability in Nigeria. As discussions continue, questions remain about how to rebuild public trust, strengthen institutions, and ensure that political and economic systems work for the benefit of all citizens.
