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 action as disrespectful to the office of the president.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dele Alake, spokesperson of
the council, said Atiku’s conduct falls short of the decorum expected of a
former vice-president and presidential aspirant.
The council’s reaction follows criticism of Atiku by some
presidency officials and political figures over his use of Tinubu’s first name
during public engagements.
Phrank Shaibu, senior special assistant on public
communication to Atiku, had defended his principal’s decision to address the
president as “Bola”, arguing that it is Tinubu’s name and that doing so was not
disrespectful.
“That is his name. He has no other name. His name is Bola,
and he should be called Bola,” Shaibu said.
APC ASKS MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN DECORUM
Alake said the APC campaign council expected a higher
standard of conduct from Atiku, given his previous position as vice-president
and his 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 since losing the 2023 presidential election.
It said it had, however, directed APC leaders,
spokespersons, members and support groups to accord Atiku the respect due to a
former vice-president and 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’s campaign would focus on 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 has faced criticism in recent weeks for addressing
Tinubu by his first name during press conferences, including when he urged the
president to provide relief to Nigerians amid 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 petrol
subsidy and its impact on transportation, food, logistics and energy costs.
Sunday Dare, special adviser to Tinubu on media and public
communication, described Atiku’s manner of addressing the president as “the
height of insolence”, accusing him of political desperation.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace
development, also criticised Atiku’s use of Tinubu’s first name, describing it
as “disrespectful and discourteous”.
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