Village Boys Movement launches in Abuja, advocating ethical leadership, civic engagement, and resistance to vote-buying and patronage

The Village Boys Movement officially launched in Abuja on Thursday, unveiling a civic platform aimed at promoting ethical governance, citizen accountability, and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.

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The initiative is convened by Maazị Tochukwu Ezeoke, who styles himself the National Village Headmaster.

Addressing supporters at the launch, Ezeoke described the movement as a disciplined nationwide effort rooted in “earned prosperity and service-driven leadership,” emphasising that wealth and power should follow value and service, rather than proximity to state resources or displays of affluence.

“We represent a Nigeria that works before it earns and earns before it spends,” Ezeoke said, framing the platform as a moral alternative to what he called the “City Boy culture” in politics, which he criticised for rewarding access to government over innovation and enterprise.

The movement cited former Anambra State governor Peter Obi as an example of disciplined governance, highlighting his record on fiscal prudence and transparency.

Ezeoke clarified, however, that the endorsement is standards-based rather than personal.

“Nigeria does not require a saviour figure. Nigeria requires standards,” he added.

Adopting the motto “Unbought. Unafraid. Unstoppable,” the Village Boys Movement aims to combat vote-buying, political intimidation, and patronage.

The group announced plans for a Two Million Man March across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that the rallies will be peaceful, lawful, and funded entirely by volunteers.

Beyond mass mobilisation, the movement intends to build networks “village by village, ward by ward, polling unit by polling unit,” focusing on civic education, budget monitoring, and election integrity. Ezeoke appealed to young Nigerians to resist inducements and intimidation at the polls.

“If you refuse to sell your vote, you are unbought. If you refuse to be intimidated, you are unafraid. If you organise lawfully and consistently, you are unstoppable,” he said.

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The long-term goal of the Village Boys Movement is to shift Nigeria’s political culture from patronage and personal gain toward productivity, ethics, and accountable governance.