BAT Ideological Group Advocates Long-Term Leadership, Succession Planning
The BAT Ideological Group has called on political leaders, fathers, and public office holders to shift their focus from short-term achievements to long-term legacy building, warning that leadership driven only by present comfort endangers the future of nations.
In a statement released by its convenor, Bamidele Atoyebi, the group highlighted what it described as a recurring flaw in leadership culture: the tendency to prioritise stability during one’s tenure while ignoring what happens after leaving office.
Atoyebi referenced the biblical account of King Hezekiah, who accepted God’s word as long as there would be “peace and truth in his own days,” noting that the mindset reflected in the statement remains prevalent in modern leadership.
According to the group, this approach cuts across family life, governance, and public service, where leaders often concentrate on immediate gains and personal milestones rather than sustainable structures.
The result, it warned, is a gradual loss of values, weakened institutions, and a lack of continuity once leadership transitions occur.
The BAT Ideological Group stressed that genuine leadership should be assessed not by temporary calm but by the durability of systems and values left behind.
It argued that legacy does not happen by chance but through deliberate planning, mentorship, and the transfer of ideals that can guide future generations.
The organisation said its mission is anchored on promoting good governance, respect for law and order, and democratic principles, noting that while individuals are transient, institutions endure.
He emphasised that mentorship and empowerment were central to its ideology, aimed at shaping character, responsibility, and forward-thinking leadership rather than personal advancement alone.
Atoyebi further underscored the importance of succession, citing biblical examples where continuity was achieved through intentional value transfer from one generation to another.
He noted that societies experience instability when leadership ends without preparation, adding that neglecting mentorship weakens the future.
The group maintained that nations seeking progress must take succession planning seriously to avoid regression and institutional decay. It reiterated its commitment to challenging what it described as short-sighted leadership and fostering a culture where leadership impact extends beyond political terms.
The statement concluded that leadership should outlive the leader, warning that stability in the present is insufficient if future generations are left without truth, values, and direction.
