By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

A political support group, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), has urged the President not to support underperforming office holders ahead of 2027 elections.

The group, which backs President Tinubu’s re-election bid, made the appeal in an open letter signed by its convener, Bamidele Atoyebi, on Tuesday.

Atoyebi described the 2027 election cycle as a defining moment to deepen accountability and restore public confidence in governance across all tiers.

He said the elections presented an opportunity for the ruling party to demonstrate commitment to performance-based leadership and responsible stewardship of public resources.

According to him, elected officials who fail to translate federal allocations into visible development outcomes should not be rewarded with party nominations or re-election tickets.

He warned that continued endorsement of non-performing leaders could weaken public trust and undermine the administration’s reform agenda.

“The time is ripe for the hunter to be hunted. It is time for the President to deploy his political sagacity to hold leaders accountable.

“We urge the President to demand scorecards that reflect measurable and verifiable good governance during this electioneering period.

“If projects do not match monthly pay, such officials should be shown the way out as poor managers of scarce resources.

“Let them understand there is a time to work and a time for that work to be accounted for. Ensure they do not receive tickets to return to office,” he stated.

Atoyebi argued that poor governance had worsened insecurity, weakened healthcare systems, and contributed to widespread infrastructure deficits nationwide.

He said citizens continued to bear the burden of ineffective leadership through declining living standards and limited access to basic services.

He stressed that such failures must attract clear political consequences to encourage discipline, transparency, and improved service delivery.

Atoyebi urged the President to extend accountability measures beyond governors to include ministers, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, lawmakers, and local government chairmen.

He noted that holistic accountability would strengthen institutional performance and ensure that all levels of government align with national development priorities.

According to him, denying underperforming officials further political opportunities would deter inefficiency and motivate others to deliver tangible results.

He also raised concerns over the management of security votes, alleging a lack of transparency in how such funds are utilised.

Atoyebi criticised poor investment in rural infrastructure, primary healthcare, and education, saying these sectors remain critical to national development.

He noted that persistent neglect in these areas continued to negatively affect millions of Nigerians, particularly in underserved communities.

While reaffirming support for the Tinubu administration, the group called for decisive steps to strengthen accountability mechanisms across government institutions.

Atoyebi urged the President to insist on credible and independently verifiable performance scorecards from all public office holders.

He said officials whose projects did not reflect allocated resources should be denied opportunities to return to office under any political platform.

He added that political ambition must be anchored on proven performance rather than patronage or loyalty.

The convener also called for sanctions against ministers, directors-general of MDAs, lawmakers, and council chairmen who failed to meet expectations.

He maintained that enforcing political accountability remained essential to improving governance outcomes and aligning leadership performance with public expectations.

Atoyebi added that firm action ahead of 2027 would send a strong message that public office is a responsibility, not an entitlement. (NAN)

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