The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly addressing President Bola Tinubu by his first name, describing the practice as disrespectful to the office of the president.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Monday, Dele Alake, spokesperson for the council, said Atiku’s conduct fell short of the standard of decorum expected of a former vice-president and presidential aspirant.
The reaction followed criticism from presidency officials and other political figures over Atiku’s use of Tinubu’s first name during public engagements.
However, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s senior special assistant on public communication, defended his principal’s decision, arguing that calling the president “Bola” was simply using his name.
“That is his name. He has no other name. His name is Bola, and he should be called Bola,” Shaibu said.
APC Calls for Political Decorum
Alake said the campaign council expected Atiku to demonstrate greater restraint and respect, given his former position and ambition to become president.
“While a higher standard of decorum, decency and deference to constituted authorities is expected from a former Vice President of Nigeria and an aspirant to the highest office in the country, we are concerned that the ADC Presidential candidate has not lived up to those expectations by his unbecoming decision to address the President of Nigeria on a first-name basis as ‘Bola’,” the statement reads.
The council accused Atiku of allowing political rivalry to influence his public conduct following his defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
It nevertheless said it had directed APC leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to accord Atiku the respect associated with his former office and status as a presidential candidate.
“As a party grounded in progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect, our campaign council will not follow Alhaji Atiku’s path,” Alake said.
He added that the APC campaign would prioritise issues affecting Nigerians, the administration’s record and its plans for a second term.
“Our campaign will focus on issues important to Nigerians. We will sell our party programmes, President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in office, and how the administration is moving Nigeria from reforms to prosperity as the President seeks a second-term mandate from Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku’s Comments Draw Criticism
Atiku has faced criticism in recent weeks for addressing Tinubu by his first name during press conferences, including while urging the president to provide relief to Nigerians facing rising living costs.
In September, Atiku said: “Bola, I want you to use those eight months to give Nigerians relief,” while criticising the removal of the petrol subsidy and its effects on transportation, food, logistics and energy costs.
Sunday Dare, Tinubu’s special adviser on media and public communication, described Atiku’s manner of addressing the president as “the height of insolence” and accused him of political desperation.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, also criticised the former vice-president’s use of Tinubu’s first name, describing it as “disrespectful and discourteous”.
The dispute has added to the exchanges between figures in the ruling APC and the opposition as political activity builds ahead of the 2027 general election.
