By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Bamidele Atoyebi, Convener of the BAT Ideological Group and National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring, has urged politicians and public office holders who identify as loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to go beyond slogans and embrace the true essence of the BAT ideology, rooted in mentorship, structure, and leadership development.

In a statement titled “Tinubu’s Loyalists or Political Opportunists? A Call to Rediscover the True BAT Ideology,” Atoyebi said many who claim allegiance to the President today do so out of convenience rather than conviction.

“Many who wrap themselves in the BAT banner are not followers of his ideology; they are beneficiaries of his victory,” Atoyebi said. “Their loyalty is not born out of conviction but of convenience. They are loyal to Tinubu’s success, not his vision.”

He noted that Tinubu’s enduring political strength stems from his ability to build men and women, not amass wealth, describing the President as a political mentor whose legacy lies in identifying talent, nurturing leaders, and creating opportunities for others to thrive.

Atoyebi lamented that most self-styled Tinubu loyalists have failed to replicate that model in their own spheres of influence.

“We now have governors, senators, and ministers who claim to be his loyalists but have not built a single person capable of taking their place,” he said. “They enjoy privileges without transferring opportunities. They shout ‘Jagaban’ with passion, but their actions contradict everything Jagaban stands for.”

He warned that Nigeria risks cultivating a generation of “shallow loyalists” whose devotion is limited to political theatrics rather than a deep understanding of the ideology that defines Tinubu’s leadership.

Calling for a rediscovery of the BAT ideology, Atoyebi urged true followers of the President to join the BAT Ideology Group and study the BAT Ideology Handbook to better understand Tinubu’s strategic mindset, governance philosophy, and approach to leadership.

He outlined five reasons for joining the movement: impartation of the Asiwaju spirit, mentorship and growth, ideological grounding, networking with like-minded individuals, and sustainability of Tinubu’s legacy.

“Loyalty without learning is empty, and admiration without understanding is dangerous,” Atoyebi added. “If you truly believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, prove it — not by the volume of your praise, but by the quality of your leadership.”

He concluded by emphasizing that Tinubu’s greatness should be measured not by the number of followers he commands but by the number of leaders he produces.

“If you truly wish to honor him,” Atoyebi said, “then build people, raise thinkers, and create opportunities. The loudest ‘Jagaban’ is not the one shouted at rallies; it is the one echoed in your actions, service, and legacy.”