A Call for Appointing Dedicated Party Members and the Reinstatement of Dr. Betta Edu in the Cabinet

By Titus kyautah.
National Secretary BAT Solidarity movement.

In light of the recent plan for cabinet reshuffle by His Ex President Bola Tinibu GCFR, it is crucial for the Presidentto give priority to dedicated party members who stood by him through thick and thin, supporting his emergence as President. These individuals, who endured insults and sacrifices, deserve to be recognized and included in shaping the future of our nation and party.

From the moment President Tinubu declared his intention to run for office, his supporters faced relentless criticism and attacks. There was no shortage of insults for those who championed his candidacy. The Muslim-Muslim ticket brought even more ridicule, particularly for Christians like myself who were accused of selling out our religion. The truth, however, is that our decision to support President Tinubu was based on party loyalty, not religious bias. We believed in his vision for Nigeria and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the vehicle to deliver it.

Over 300 support groups rallied behind our candidate, investing time, resources, and unwavering commitment to ensure victory. However, despite the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) allocating ₦4 billion to support groups, none of this funding ever reached us, even on election day. We continued our efforts, driven not by financial incentives, but by our belief in the party and our candidate.

Traditionally, those who work for a party’s victory are rewarded with opportunities to serve in government. Unfortunately, in this case, it seems those who actively worked against our candidate are the ones now enjoying the spoils of victory. Meanwhile, those who remained loyal and bore the brunt of insults are left watching from the sidelines. As a seasoned politician, President Tinubu understands how political parties work and how important it is to reward sacrifices made by party members.

While not every party member can be appointed, it would be prudent to consider leaders of the support groups for some of the 4,000+ available appointments in government boards and agencies. This move would not only show appreciation for their efforts but also ensure the party’s core supporters remain motivated as we prepare for the challenges ahead, particularly the 2027 elections. The impact of these appointments would cascade down to the grassroots, energizing party members across the nation.

It’s concerning that those who labored tirelessly to secure victory are being overlooked, while individuals who opposed us during the election are being rewarded. These same people now mock us, while we, who carried the party’s banner, continue to face insults.

Among the capable leaders within the BAT Solidarity Movement are individuals like Chief Barr. Okay Okon Obla, Chief Sunny Sylvester, and Engr. (Dr.) Yinka Williams, to name just a few. These are accomplished professionals with the expertise needed to make significant contributions to government ministries, departments, and agencies. They, along with leaders of other support groups, should be considered for appointments. Collectively, we number fewer than 500, but our influence and commitment to the party are immense.

Appointing these leaders would not only be a gesture of appreciation but also a strategic move to galvanize and motivate the party as we deliver the dividends of democracy and prepare for the next electoral battle in 2027, which promises to be even tougher than the one we faced in 2023.

In the same vein, we urge the President to reinstate Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Her contributions during the campaign were invaluable, and her reinstatement would be a testament to the party’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding those who played pivotal roles in securing victory.