The convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group, Bamidele Atoyebi, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strategically harness the momentum generated by its recently concluded primaries to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.

Atoyebi said the APC primaries across various states produced mixed emotions, ranging from celebrations by victorious aspirants to bitterness and disappointment among those who lost out. According to him, the internal tensions within the party were inevitable due to the large number of political contenders competing for limited elective positions.

He noted that many politicians often fail to understand the importance of patience, sacrifice, and strategic timing in politics, adding that some aspirants enter contests with unrealistic confidence despite lacking sufficient grassroots support.

Atoyebi argued that experienced politicians usually understand their political standing before elections are concluded and know when to withdraw from contests to preserve their political relevance and resources.

Citing examples, he referenced a politician identified as Desmond, who allegedly ignored political signals after losing the backing of his godfather, and contrasted it with what he described as the “tactical maturity” of a Peoples Democratic Party senator in Kebbi State who defected to APC that reportedly withdrew from an APC primary after recognizing he lacked the governor’s support.

Despite the tensions generated by the primaries, the political commentator said the process had reignited political participation among ordinary party members and restored power to grassroots loyalists who previously felt neglected by elected officials.

According to him, discussions surrounding the APC primaries became widespread on social media and within communities, with many observers describing the contests as even more intense than general elections.

Atoyebi warned, however, that the renewed political energy could fade away if the party fails to sustain and properly channel it ahead of 2027.

He proposed the adoption of the BAT-Home-Cell framework as a strategic grassroots mobilization structure capable of reconciling aggrieved members, strengthening loyalty among existing supporters, and attracting new members into the party.

Explaining the framework, Atoyebi said the initiative would decentralize party activities into ultra-local units covering between five and 10 houses per cell, allowing party members to hold neighborhood meetings, share information on government interventions, and build closer interpersonal relationships within the party structure.

He further stated that the framework should go beyond politics by supporting struggling members, encouraging economic cooperation among party loyalists, and creating what he described as a “political family” that remains active even outside election periods.

Atoyebi maintained that embedding the party within the everyday realities of citizens would strengthen APC’s grassroots structure and position it strongly for the 2027 elections.