The Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Vanguard, a political support group, has rallied support for the appointment of its national convener, Sola Olofin, as minister of Youths Affairs.
In a statement by its secretary, Tobi Olatunya, the group argued that Olofin deserves the appointment more than anyone else from his home state of Ekiti State.
Justifying the call, the group noted that while the Tinubu presidency was about 87 days old, few appointments have been made, Ekiti got just one slot of ministerial appointment.
BAT listed part of the criteria for who qualifies as minister to include political, regional and ethnic balancing, as well as the contributions of potential appointees to the electioneering campaigns and eventual success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
Olatunya said, “BAT Vanguard, one of the most vocal and prominent support groups for the actualisation of the “Renewed Hope” Mandate which had its presence in the thirty-six (36) States of the federation, FCT and the diaspora did not just “stand on the mandate” of our Party’s then Presidential candidate, but they tirelessly traversed the 774 LGA’s of Nigeria, aggressively supported and vigorously campaigned for the success of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential aspiration.
“Mr. Sola Olofin is a dyed-in-the-wool Party man, an unapologetic JAGABANIST from Ekiti State and for all intents and purpose, the ebullient National Convener of BAT Vanguard. He was a member of the famous Presidential Campaign Council, Member Contact and Mobilization (South West ) in the Presidential Campaign Council and a Member of Support Groups in the Independent Campaign Council. He therefore, very certainly, deserves consideration for appointment as a Minister from Ekiti State.
“SOLA OLOFIN is an ICT techpreneur who has a thriving business and twice contested for Federal House of Representatives from Ado Ekiti but was prevailed on by party leaders to step down, which he did without much qualms owing to his antecedent as a core party man. To say he is a grassroots politician who is very much in touch with the youth cannot be overemphasised.
The group noted that apart from the general support and contributions it made to the APC presidential campaigns, Olofin has shown manifest loyalty to President Tinubu’s aspiration.
According to BAT, Olofin also coordinated the Young Women Delegates for the APC primary election and “hosted several BAT Vanguard Executive Meetings as support groups galvanised support for the APC Presidential Primary Election.
“Considering the listed contributions and Mr. Sola Olofin’s BAT Vanguard’s total involvement during the campaigns and electioneering period, his unimpeachable commitment to Party and unalloyed/unwavering loyalty to PBAT, it will be pertinent and equitable to review the ongoing appointment processes to accommodate vibrant members from SUPPORT GROUPS like Mr. Sola Olofin who had tirelessly worked to ensure that our Party succeeded to get the Presidency. A consideration of a vibrant youth like Sola Olofin will be a great morale booster to support groups and to also the teeming youth of Nigeria who can easily relate with him,” it added.