APC slams Atiku of lacking statesmanship over ‘Bola’ remark

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola”, describing the action as disrespectful to the office of the president.

In a statement on Monday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, accused Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, of allowing political animosity and ambition to undermine the statesmanship expected of a former vice president.

Alake said Atiku’s conduct fell short of the decorum expected of someone who had occupied the country’s second-highest political office and was seeking to become president.

He also accused the former vice president of setting a poor example for younger politicians through his public conduct and utterances.

However, the APC council urged its leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue showing Atiku the respect and courtesies due to him as a former vice president and presidential candidate.

The statement added that the ruling party would not follow what it described as Atiku’s path of disrespect.

“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,” Alake said.

The statement comes amid public reactions to Atiku’s decision to address Tinubu by his first name, “Bola”, as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election.