The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to show greater respect for the presidency, while pledging to focus its 2027 re-election campaign on policies and the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The council criticised Atiku for repeatedly addressing the President as “Bola”, describing the practice as inconsistent with the decorum expected of a former vice-president and presidential aspirant.
In a statement on Monday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said the party would not respond to political disagreements by abandoning what he described as traditional values of respect.
“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,” Alake said.
He added that the council had 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,” he said.
Alake said the campaign would concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians, the administration’s record and its plans for a second term rather than personal exchanges with political opponents.
“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 added.
Atiku’s use of Tinubu’s first name has triggered criticism from several figures in the Presidency and the ruling party in recent weeks.
In September, the former vice-president addressed the President as “Bola” while urging him to reduce the cost of petrol and electricity and provide relief to Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Atiku argued that the removal of the petrol subsidy had contributed to higher transportation, food, logistics and energy costs, calling on the government to reconsider its approach.
He also warned against plans to phase out electricity subsidies from 2027, saying households and businesses were already struggling with high power costs.
Atiku’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, defended his principal’s choice of words, arguing that the President was being addressed by his name rather than insulted.
“That is his name. He has no other name. His name is Bola, and he should be called Bola,” Shaibu said.
He dismissed suggestions that the usage amounted to disrespect, accusing critics of making an issue out of the President’s first name.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, had described Atiku’s manner of addressing the President as “the height of insolence”, while Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo called it “disrespectful and discourteous”.
Former presidential spokesman Akin Osuntokun also criticised the practice, describing it as “unmistakable rudeness”.
The dispute comes as political parties and their prospective candidates prepare for the 2027 general election, with economic hardship, fuel prices, electricity costs and the impact of government reforms likely to feature prominently in the campaign.
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