Seyi Tinubu tells critic Isaac Fayose to 'behave' after Port Harcourt walk dispute

Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, has issued a sharp public response to businessman Isaac Fayose following a viral video in which the critic questioned the heavy security arrangements at a recent political event. The exchange, which took place on social media on November 7 and gained wider attention on November 9, centres on the Port Harcourt City Boy Walk, an event organised by the City Boy Movement to support the President’s administration. Fayose had used the platform to criticise both the logistical setup of the walk and the attitudes of young Nigerians who participated in it.

Seyi Tinubu replied directly to the critic in the comments of Fayose’s Instagram post, telling him to conduct himself properly and labeling him his 'content creator Egbon,' a phrase suggesting an elder or senior status. He defended the presence of security personnel, stating that the police officers, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, and civil defence personnel were deployed specifically for the City Boy Walk, which he described as a success. Tinubu concluded his message by urging the public to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The interaction highlights a growing tension between high-profile political figures and social media critics who question the conduct of the current administration.

Background

The dispute began when Isaac Fayose uploaded a video on November 7, during which he criticized the attendance and management of the Port Harcourt gathering that took place the previous day on November 6. Seyi Tinubu led the procession, which was coordinated by the Rivers State chapter of the City Boy Movement, a political support organization aligned with President Tinubu. Fayose questioned the necessity of a large security contingent accompanying a single individual to a public gathering. In the video, he also directed criticism at young Nigerians, whom he labelled as "Gen Zero" and "lazy," accusing them of prioritising political support for the administration over pressing national issues.

Fayose pointed to particular difficulties in Nigeria, such as insecurity in Benue, Plateau, and Kogi states, alongside global concerns like border restrictions in the UK, removals from the US, and increasing animosity toward Nigerians in Ghana and South Africa. He argued that these problems demanded urgent attention rather than political rallies. The critic also alluded to comments by Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, who had earlier raised questions about the suitability of Seyi Tinubu’s security arrangements. This is not the first public disagreement between the two; Legit.ng previously reported that Seyi Tinubu had responded to Fayose when the businessman demanded the President’s immediate resignation over economic hardships.

Why it matters

The dispute underscores the increasing role of social media in Nigerian political discourse, where critics and political figures engage in direct, public exchanges. The incident affects the perception of the Tinubu administration’s relationship with the youth demographic, a key voter base for the upcoming 2027 elections. By defending the security presence as necessary for a lawful and peaceful gathering, Seyi Tinubu sought to frame the event as a legitimate expression of political solidarity. Conversely, Fayose’s criticism reflects broader public frustration with economic conditions and security challenges, suggesting that political events are viewed by some as distractions from these fundamental issues. The exchange has drawn attention to the balance between security protocols for political figures and public scrutiny of their activities.

What happens next

No further official actions or legal proceedings have been announced by either party following the social media exchange. The incident remains a topic of discussion on social media platforms, with the video continuing to circulate and attract comments from various segments of the Nigerian public. The City Boy Movement and the APC have not issued additional statements regarding the specific comments made by Fayose or the response from Seyi Tinubu.