The APC Presidential Campaign Council criticises former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for addressing President Bola Tinubu as “Bola,” saying the move is disrespectful to the Office of the President. APC spokesperson and minister Dele Alake says Atiku’s choice reflects ambition over statesmanship, and the council rejects any precedent suggested by Atiku’s wording.
While the outlets converge on the core dispute, they differ slightly on emphasis. Vanguard reports the council also instructs APC members to accord Atiku the respect due to his former office and his status as a presidential candidate, despite the criticism. Other coverage focuses more directly on the accusation that Atiku is undermining respect for the presidency by using Tinubu’s first name in public commentary.
Overall, the story centres on a language and protocol controversy within Nigeria’s presidential election campaign, with the APC balancing public condemnation of Atiku’s phrasing against a call for continued formal respect due to him as a political contender and former vice president.
