The City Boy Movement has distanced itself from the membership claim of Mr. Adepoju Salako following reports linking him to the socio-political group in connection with an alleged fraud conviction in the United States.
The movement insisted that Salako had never been a member or official of the organisation.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Abdullahi, and obtained by Arewa PUNCH on Monday, the movement described as false and misleading claims circulating on social media and some online platforms alleging that Salako was affiliated with the group.
The organisation said it was compelled to clarify its position following attempts to associate the individual with the movement in relation to criminal proceedings and a reported conviction arising from alleged fraud-related offences in the United States.
According to the statement, Salako has never held membership or occupied any office within the City Boy 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 read in parts.
The group further stated that Salako was never appointed, recognised, or authorised to serve as a coordinator, representative, campaign official, spokesperson or mobilisation officer for the movement in the United States or any other country.
“The City Boy Movement therefore 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,” it added.
The organisation alleged that efforts to link Salako to the movement formed part of a broader campaign to tarnish the image of support groups associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling progressive bloc.
According to the movement, earlier reports concerning the allegations and conviction did not associate Salako with the group, raising questions over what it described as a sudden attempt by “mischievous elements” to connect him with the organisation.
The statement also noted that separate media reports had identified Salako as a Philadelphia coordinator of another pro-Tinubu support platform known as “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria,” arguing that such references highlighted what it described as indiscriminate attribution of political affiliations.
The group stressed that its clarification was not intended to interfere with any legal proceedings involving Salako, noting that every individual is entitled to due process and constitutional protections under the law.
It, however, maintained that it would not accept what it termed false attribution or attempts to create non-existent links between the organisation and the individual.
“The City Boy Movement cannot and will not accept false attribution, reputational manipulation or deliberate attempts to create artificial relationships where none exists,” the statement insisted.
The movement reiterated its commitment to youth mobilisation, democratic participation, and national development, describing itself as a lawful and disciplined organisation operating in line with the ideals of President Tinubu.
It subsequently urged members of the public and media organisations to disregard reports linking Salako to the movement in any capacity.5