‘Bola Is His Name’ – Atiku’s Camp Defends Independence Day Address

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s camp has defended his decision to repeatedly refer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “Bola”.

According to camp of the former vice president, there is no law requiring Nigerians to address the President by his official title.

The defence followed criticism of Atiku’s manner of addressing Tinubu during his Independence Day message and other recent public statements.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had described Atiku’s repeated use of the President’s first name as “very disrespectful and discourteous”, arguing that the office of the President should be accorded dignity regardless of political differences.

In a response defending Atiku, his camp argued that the controversy over the former Vice President’s choice of words should not overshadow the issues raised in his Independence Day address.

“Bola is the President’s name, right. There is no Nigerian law that makes it a criminal offence to address a President by his first name,” the statement said.

It cited Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that a person cannot be convicted of an offence unless the offence and its penalty are prescribed in a written law.

The camp therefore challenged those criticising Atiku’s choice of words to identify any law requiring Nigerians to always prefix Tinubu’s name with “President”, “His Excellency” or “Mr President”.

“So, anyone claiming Atiku committed an offence should produce the law that says Nigerians must always prefix Bola Tinubu’s name with ‘President,’ ‘His Excellency’ or ‘Mr President.’ There is no such law,” it said.

The statement also argued that referring to political leaders by their first names is not unusual, pointing to former United States President Barack Obama’s public references to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as “Angela” at official events.

It further referred to Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, while acknowledging that Nigerians could have different views about Atiku’s manner of addressing Tinubu.

“People may debate Atiku’s style. They may say they would have preferred ‘President Tinubu.’ That is their opinion,” the statement said.

“But let us not invent an offence where none exists.”

“Bola is his name. President is his office,” the statement said.

The controversy over Atiku’s use of Tinubu’s first name began before the Independence Day address and intensified after the former Vice President repeatedly addressed the President as “Bola” while discussing the administration’s economic policies.

Keyamo had said the reference was disrespectful and argued that political disagreements should not diminish the dignity attached to the office of the President.

“The continuous reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by His Excellency, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in his press conference earlier today as ‘Bola’ is very disrespectful and discourteous,” Keyamo said. He added that “no matter your differences with Mr President”, the office should be accorded the dignity it deserves.

Atiku, in his October 1 Independence Day message, criticised the Tinubu administration over the cost of living, fuel prices, food prices, insecurity, public debt and other economic concerns. He also presented policy proposals that he said would reduce the burden on Nigerians if he became president in 2027.

The former Vice President promised to reduce the cost of fuel, food and electricity, while proposing a capped and budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including output from modular refineries.

Atiku said imported petrol would not qualify for the proposed subsidy and maintained that the costs and payments under the scheme would be published and independently audited.

He also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the policy had placed significant pressure on households without adequate protection for those affected.

“Tinubu removed fuel subsidy without credible protection for the families who would bear the shock. He promised the savings would benefit Nigerians. Three years later, the pain has an address in every home,” Atiku said.

On workers’ purchasing power, Atiku compared the minimum wage and petrol prices before and during the Tinubu administration.

“In April 2023, a N30,000 minimum wage could buy about 118 litres of petrol. Today, N70,000 buys just 50 litres,” he said.

He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s public debt, putting the debt stock at N166.79 trillion as of the end of June. Atiku said any government he leads would require greater transparency before taking on additional debt, including details of projects being funded, their costs, beneficiaries and payments.

The ADC candidate also challenged the Federal Government to publish details of its promised reduction in transport fares.

“Tinubu promised lower transport fares from October 1. Today is October 1. Publish the routes, the old and new fares, and the number of people benefiting. Nigerians cannot board an announcement,” he said.

Atiku further promised to make the cost of food, fuel and electricity a priority from his first day in office, alongside improvements in healthcare and education and efforts to restore security in communities affected by violence.

He also pledged to respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission and support the prompt publication of results from every polling unit.

The former Vice President said anyone found guilty of vote buying or altering election results should face the law regardless of political affiliation. He also called for greater political freedom and said Nigerians should be able to question their leaders, organise peacefully and demand political change.