Kwara APC Youth Dialogue 2025: Support Groups Must Be Driven by Ideology — Atoyebi
The Kwara APC Youth Dialogue 2025, held on December 14 at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, brought together key stakeholders across the state. Among those in attendance was the Convener of the BAT Ideological Group, Atoyebi Lateef Bamidele.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Atoyebi reiterated the message he delivered during his goodwill address. He said most political support groups fail to command respect because they lack clear doctrines and ideological direction.
According to him, politicians often take advantage of such groups because they do not stand for anything concrete. He noted, however, that the BAT Ideological Group is different, as it is founded on clear principles and ideology.
“Politicians do not respect most support groups because they have no doctrines. Most times, they are used and dumped. But with a support group like the BAT Ideological Group, we can operate anywhere because we have doctrines,” he said.
Atoyebi explained that the BAT Ideological Group works with other support groups to train, orient, and transfer political knowledge about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said this includes educating them on who the President is, his ideology, his leadership methodology, and his vision for Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.
According to him, the goal is to properly equip support groups with a clear understanding of what President Tinubu represents, noting that his ideology, vision, and leadership style set him apart from many politicians Nigeria has had in the past.
He further explained that support groups should not support politicians blindly. Instead, he said they must assess and evaluate those seeking their support using clear standards drawn from President Tinubu’s track record.
According to him, support groups must ask critical questions: Do such politicians meet the standards set by President Tinubu’s track record? What is their own track record? Do they have progressive policies? What is their vision? Have they raised people? Even if they have never held political office, what impact have they made in their communities?
He added that support groups should also examine whether such individuals have established NGOs or initiatives that have helped the people and demonstrated a history of service that justifies being supported by organised political groups.
“These are the standards that should guide support groups when deciding who to support. That is why the BAT Ideological Group is different,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Atoyebi described President Tinubu as not just a politician but an institution. He added that true progress lies in lifting one another.
He also commended the organisers of the dialogue and praised the performance of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying the governor’s achievements go beyond infrastructure development.
Atoyebi particularly applauded the governor’s commitment to youth and women inclusion, describing the administration as women-friendly.
“I find it interesting that the governor is appointing many young people, especially women, into his administration. That is what Asiwaju stands for. He is representing the true identity, ideology, vision, and leadership style of Asiwaju,” he said.
He added that development is visible across the state, noting that even members of the opposition have acknowledged the impact of ongoing projects.
“Even a PDP member loyal to Saraki told me that the governor is big on infrastructure and that there is change everywhere. Personally, there are places I no longer recognise because of the level of development,” he added.
