Keyamo faults Atiku for calling President Tinubu ‘Bola’, describes it as disrespectful
Abuja — Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo on Friday criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by his first name during a press conference, describing the address as “very disrespectful and discourteous.”
Keyamo, in a post on his verified X handle, said Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, should know better and accord the office of the President the dignity it deserves, regardless of political differences.
“The continuous reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT by His Excellency, ex Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in his Press Conference earlier today as ‘Bola’ is very disrespectful and discourteous,” Keyamo wrote. “He should know better that no matter your differences with Mr. President, for the sake of the country, that office should be accorded all the dignity it deserves.”
The minister further accused Atiku of speaking from a place of personal grievance, stating that “the tone reeks of pain and bitterness in his heart.” He also pointed to what he called a contradiction in Atiku’s recent claim that Tinubu is older than him. “After all, he made the outlandish claim the other day that Mr. President is older than himself. It is therefore a contradiction that he would also refer to an ‘elder’ by his first name,” Keyamo added.
Atiku held the press conference in Abuja on Friday, during which he urged the Federal Government to intervene to reduce the price of petrol. He said Tinubu could adopt his proposal, rename the initiative if necessary, and take credit for it if that would ease the burden on Nigerians. In the course of his remarks, Atiku repeatedly referred to the President simply as “Bola.”
The exchange forms part of the intensifying political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who is positioning himself as a leading opposition figure under the ADC platform, has been critical of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the impact of fuel subsidy removal and rising living costs. Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is widely expected to seek a second term.
Keyamo’s comments were later echoed by other government officials. On Saturday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described Atiku’s manner of addressing the President as “the height of insolence” and “a clear descent into the abyss of unbridled desperation.”
No immediate response from Atiku or his camp specifically addressing the “Bola” reference was available at the time of filing this report. The former Vice-President has previously defended his right to robustly criticise the government on policy matters.
The incident underscores the sharp tone of political discourse as Nigeria heads toward the next presidential contest, with both sides trading accusations over respect for institutions and the substance of governance debates.
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