The unveiling of Anthony Adun, widely known as Tony Kabaka, as the Edo State Co-Coordinator for the pro-President Bola Tinubu youth group “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria” (RTIFN) has ignited a firestorm of criticism and sarcasm on social media. Kabaka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Youth Leader, is a polarising figure with a history tied to cultism and political thuggery, raising concerns about the group’s intentions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The announcement was made via a post on X by @TheBeninBlogger, featuring images of Kabaka in formal attire alongside RTIFN banners proclaiming “Promise to Progess” – a glaring typo that quickly became a target for mockery. The post stated: “Tony Kabaka has been unveiled as the Edo State Co-coordinator for ‘Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria.’
“RTIFN, founded by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, is described as a youth-based organisation aimed at promoting the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” countering misinformation, and fostering national unity.
The group recently inaugurated coordinators across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, including high-profile figures like Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo as Atlanta/USA coordinator.
In Edo State, Hon. Osarobo Osaghae was appointed as the main coordinator, with Kabaka serving as co-coordinator, in partnership with entities like the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Kabaka’s background has fuelled much of the backlash. Born on May 1, 1980, in Benin City, he is a businessman, hotelier, and influential APC figure, but he has been openly linked to the Neo Black Movement (Black Axe cult) in media reports, including a BBC documentary where he admitted membership.
Critics accuse him of involvement in political violence, though he has survived assassination attempts and received a N914 million settlement from the Edo government for the 2020 demolition of his hotel under former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Kabaka married Toyin Adun in 2016 and has publicly expressed support for APC candidates like Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Reactions on X were immediate and overwhelmingly negative, with direct replies and quote posts expressing fears of electoral violence, ridicule over the group’s branding, and despair about Nigeria’s political landscape.
Key replies to the original post included:
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@KenndyBen6539
: “Omo the kind violence when go sup on that Election Day Eehn” – predicting intense violence during elections.
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@Osa_blak
, sharing an image of a flooded property: “front of Tony Kabaka house D ocean don big pass like this sef Happy swimming” – a sarcastic jab at Kabaka’s situation.
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@Mayor_360
: “With this u can tell d patterns dey want to use in the forthcoming election..” – suggesting the appointment reveals coercive tactics.
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@omoafeodigie11
: “We are at war in 2027 election” – framing the upcoming polls as a battle.
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@Marvellous57470
: “All this one for power and violence” – lamenting the focus on force over governance.
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@danmusabi
: “Kabazo wey go soon be our govnor after akpakoresque. Make una nor worry una eye go neat. Edo is shining” – mocking Kabaka’s potential rise in politics.
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@Nna3mek4
: ““Promise to progess”. They’re so unprogressive they couldn’t spell “progress”. Dumb fvckers” – highlighting the banner’s spelling error.
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@ayoola_BOD
: “Omo!!!!!!! This is wild” – expressing shock.
Quote posts amplified the criticism, often with humor and frustration:
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@__Ephraimatic
, sharing a meme: “I don collect work o Tinubu will fix Nigeria” – sarcastically claiming a “job” in the fixing process.
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@theboyisforeign
: “APC is about to give us TKO” – implying a “technical knockout” for opponents.
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@CAPT__Vincent
: “Sigh!” – a simple expression of exasperation.
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@swimminginglory
: “ain’t no way this country is real” – questioning Nigeria’s reality amid such developments.
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@cuteneka
: “Dem don wear am suit. Next in line for Edo State. These people on these banners should be stoned every single one of them whatever region they accepted to head.” – criticizing the formalization of controversial figures.
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@TheUnagi_
: “APC and Excellence are parallel to each other. Not a single person could see “Progess”?” – mocking the typo.
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@thisismanss
: “God now what are we doing” – a plea of disbelief.
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@AAsoegwu_
: “Dem no even fit spell progress” – another jab at the spelling.
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@gboyeezy
: “The spirit of betrayal is heavy on this movement and I can’t wait till it starts manifesting” – anticipating internal conflicts.
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@_d4hn13l_
, with a video clip: “Can’t you see the pain we’re feeling lord. Where are you? Lord where are youuuuuu??” – dramatising national suffering.
The appointment highlights APC’s strategy to mobilise youth in battleground states like Edo, which has a history of tense elections marred by violence. Observers worry that involving figures like Kabaka could blur the lines between advocacy and intimidation, especially as RTIFN positions itself as a bridge between the government and citizens.
As of this writing, neither RTIFN, APC officials, nor Kabaka have responded to the online uproar.
With 2027 on the horizon, this development underscores ongoing debates about cultism, political patronage, and the role of youth groups in Nigerian democracy.
