Atoyebi Advocates for Inclusive Empowerment, Party Loyalty in Appointments
The Convener of the BAT Ideological Group, Bamidele Atoyebi, has urged political leaders under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise loyalty and inclusiveness in the distribution of political appointments and empowerment opportunities, emphasising that “not everyone can be appointed, but everyone can be carried along.”
Atoyebi made the call during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, where he reaffirmed the group’s commitment to upholding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political philosophy of progressive leadership and collective upliftment.
He congratulated the party chairman on the success of the recent stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as “a well-organised forum that addressed many of the concerns of party members across the state.”
Atoyebi, who explained that the BAT Ideological Group was founded to preserve and institutionalise President Tinubu’s political values, said the movement had been active before the 2023 general elections and formally launched its handbook in Abuja on 18 September 2025.
“Our mission is to raise leaders who embody the discipline, knowledge, and ideology of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Just as Chief Obafemi Awolowo inspired generations, Asiwaju has built a political legacy that must endure,” he said.
He disclosed that the group is implementing youth-focused programmes, including political debates, sports competitions, empowerment grants, and leadership training, aimed at deepening civic awareness and grooming young Nigerians for future leadership roles.
According to him, the initiatives, targeting wards and local governments across Lagos, will feature business grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million to encourage youth participation and reduce political apathy.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, Atoyebi said the group was expanding its grassroots mobilisation efforts to strengthen the APC’s base across all parts of Lagos State through youth sensitisation and political education.
Speaking on the party’s internal reward system, Atoyebi stressed the need to recognise loyal members who worked for the APC’s electoral success, lamenting that “many of those who toiled for victory are often left out, while others who contributed little are empowered.”
He added that some appointees at both federal and state levels “do not reflect the vision and ideology of our leader and mentor, President Tinubu,” calling for periodic leadership orientation for such appointees to align them with the President’s progressive values.
“Asiwaju’s philosophy is about raising people. Before he became President, he had already built and empowered many, leaders like Fashola, Sanwo-Olu, Dele Alake, Zacch Adedeji, and others,” he said.
“If a leader gets a ₦50 million contract, even ₦1 million or ₦2 million each can empower team members. That is how loyalty is rewarded and progress is sustained.”
Atoyebi commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos APC leadership for sustaining the party’s unity and reaffirmed the group’s readiness to partner with the state structure to strengthen youth engagement, leadership training, and empowerment programmes.
He concluded by restating that the BAT Ideological Group would continue to promote inclusiveness and uphold Tinubu’s legacy of shared prosperity.
“We may not all be appointed, but we can all be carried along. That is the Asiwaju way, that is the APC way, and that is the future we are building together,” he said.
