Our Political Yoke Is Easy and Burden Light!
By Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi
The conversation about leadership and succession in Nigeria has often been framed as a contest of influence or a game of survival. Yet, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Ideological Group, we believe that leadership should neither be burdensome nor exclusive.
By this, we mean that we are not creating obstacles or unnecessary conditions for anyone who seeks our support. What we demand is simple and attainable: a genuine record of service and evidence of positive change, even in the smallest capacity.
Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that leadership is not proven by titles or connections but by measurable impact.
This approach forms the foundation of our leadership screening process. We are not here to dictate who becomes what, but to ensure that whoever seeks higher office carries a clear vision that aligns with the progress being built under the current administration.
The task is not to make politics difficult; it is to make leadership meaningful in our dear country.
Every aspirant must be able to answer one question: What have you done without the platform? If a person cannot show results at the local level, within a ministry, constituency, or community, it becomes difficult to trust them with a national mandate.
True leadership is not first demonstrated on the podium; it is proven through consistent commitment when no one is watching.
The scriptures give us a timeless example in David, who tended sheep long before he stood before Goliath. His victories over lions and bears in secret built the courage and competence that later defined his reign.
Dear aspiring leader, how have you built competency? Leadership requires the same discipline, preparation through responsibility, not sudden ambition.
This same principle can be traced in the journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His rise to national leadership was not accidental.
During the turbulent years of military rule, Tinubu stood among the voices that refused to be silenced. As part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he aligned with other patriots in demanding the restoration of democratic governance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
His open resistance to authoritarian rule forced him into exile, but he continued to support the pro-democracy movement from abroad, contributing to the sustained pressure that eventually ushered in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
That period shaped his political philosophy, one built on resilience, civic responsibility and a belief that power must serve the people.
As Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, he laid the foundation for the state’s transformation through deliberate policy reforms and visionary governance.
He restructured Lagos’ tax system, established the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, and increased internally generated revenue from less than ₦1 billion monthly to several billions by the time he left office.
He prioritised infrastructure, urban renewal, and administrative innovation, decentralising governance and fostering a system of accountability. Beyond his personal achievements, Tinubu institutionalised continuity by mentoring capable successors who have sustained Lagos’ progress.
Today, as President, he is demonstrating the same character of bold, reform-driven leadership. The removal of fuel subsidy though painful, shows the willingness to confront entrenched inefficiencies for the greater good.
The unification of the exchange rate and the focus on revenue diversification are long-term steps toward a self-sustaining economy. These are not convenient choices; they are courageous ones, rooted in a legacy of reform.
This is what we mean when we say our political yoke is easy. We are not asking for impossible feats or perfection. We are only asking for sincerity, consistency, and proof of effort. Our burden is light because our expectation is straightforward: serve the people, show your record, and align your vision with Nigeria’s progress.
If a person has truly worked to improve lives, whether by creating opportunities, supporting education, or driving community development, they will naturally find that our process is not a burden but a validation of genuine service.
At the BAT Ideological Group, we stand ready to work with anyone, from any region, or religion, who shares this vision. Ours is not an exclusive club but a platform for progressive minds determined to sustain the reform path of the present administration.
Ultimately, the strength of Nigeria’s future leadership will depend on men and women who have earned trust through results. Ambition without impact is empty; power without purpose is dangerous. The real test of leadership is not how loudly one speaks, but how faithfully one serves.
Your work should speak for you!
Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convenor of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting
