Tinubu’s Loyalists or Political Opportunists? A Call to Rediscover the True BAT Ideology
In every political season, loyalty becomes a popular currency. Names are invoked, alliances are declared, and suddenly everyone becomes a disciple of whoever holds power.
Today, we hear countless voices proclaiming allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, the political architect whose mastery of strategy has shaped Nigeria’s modern political landscape.
But let us pause and ask: how many of these so-called Tinubu loyalists truly understand the man, his philosophy, or his political essence?
The uncomfortable truth is that many who wrap themselves in the BAT banner are not followers of his ideology; they are beneficiaries of his victory. They do not emulate his principles; they only admire his power. Their loyalty is not born out of conviction but of convenience. They are not loyal to Tinubu’s vision; they are loyal to Tinubu’s success.
The Spirit of Jagaban: Builder of Men and Women, Not Collector of Wealth
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political strength has never been about money or titles. It lies in his ability to build men and women, to identify potential, nurture leadership, and create platforms for others to rise. His story is one of deliberate mentorship and structured empowerment—a political culture built on ideas, not impulse.
Yet today, we have governors, senators, ministers, and advisers who claim to be his loyalists but have failed to reproduce this same spirit. They hold offices without building successors. They enjoy privileges without transferring opportunities. They shout “Jagaban” with passion, but their actions contradict everything Jagaban stands for.
How can you say you follow Tinubu when you have not built a single man or woman capable of taking your place? How can you claim to be a disciple when you do not invest in the people around you, when you use power to enrich yourself instead of empowering others?
The Crisis of Shallow Loyalty
Our nation stands at a dangerous intersection where shallow loyalty threatens to replace deep understanding. Many are drawn to Tinubu’s movement not because they share his ideology, but because they see it as a ladder to their ambitions. But a ladder without a foundation will collapse under its own weight.
To be a true BAT loyalist is not to chant slogans or wear campaign insignia. It is to embody the ideology that made Tinubu a political institution—resilience, structure, inclusivity, mentorship, and strategic foresight. The same discipline that turned political opposition into opportunity, the same mindset that built leaders out of ordinary men and women.
A Call to Rediscover the BAT Ideology
Nigeria cannot afford a generation of Tinubu loyalists who only know how to shout his name but cannot explain his philosophy. You cannot build a nation on borrowed glory. You cannot transform a society by imitating gestures without grasping the ideas behind them.
Every self-proclaimed loyalist must go beyond flattery and fanfare. Study the BAT Ideology Handbook. Join the BAT Ideology Group. Do this not just for knowledge, but for impartation—so that the same spirit of strategic thinking, political discipline, and leadership development that defines Asiwaju can be transferred into your own approach to governance and public service.
You need to join for the following reasons:
Impartation of the Asiwaju spirit: To understand how to think, plan, and build like Tinubu.
Mentorship and growth: To learn how to raise leaders, not just followers.
Ideological grounding: So your political loyalty is based on understanding, not emotion or gain.
Networking with like minds: To connect with people genuinely driven by service and transformation.
Sustainability of legacy: To ensure Tinubu’s principles outlive his political era through those who truly embody them.
Because loyalty without learning is empty, and admiration without understanding is dangerous. If you truly believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then prove it—not by the volume of your praise, but by the quality of your leadership.
In Conclusion
Tinubu’s greatness is not in how many followers he has, but in how many leaders he has created. If you truly wish to honor him, then build people. Raise thinkers. Create opportunities. Mentor the next generation.
Because the loudest “Jagaban” is not the one shouted at rallies; it is the one echoed in your actions, your service, and your legacy.
Author:
Bamidele Atoyebi – Convener of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring, and Publisher at Unfiltered & Mining Reporting
