Former presidential spokesman Akin Osuntokun has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu simply as “Bola” during his Independence Day address.
Osuntokun, who served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, said Atiku had every right to criticise Tinubu and his administration but argued that repeatedly addressing the President by his first name was disrespectful to the office he occupies.
He made the remarks in a statement on Thursday, October 1, amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘It Was A Needless Display Of Disrespect’
Osuntokun said his longstanding cordial relationship with Atiku had made him reluctant to criticise the former Vice President harshly since the end of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2007.
However, he said Atiku’s repeated use of “Bola” during his address crossed a line.
“Abubakar is entitled to criticise the President, however sharply. What I found objectionable was his repeated decision to call him ‘Bola’,” Osuntokun said.
“That was not a more forceful argument; it was a needless display of disrespect.”
He added that the manner of addressing the President was, in his view, an affront to the institution of the presidency.
‘It Is Primarily An Insult To Nigeria’
Osuntokun argued that Tinubu’s position as Nigeria’s elected President meant that criticism of his policies should be separated from respect for the office.
“This is not acceptable. It is primarily an insult to Nigeria, on whose account he occupies that office,” he said.
He stressed that his position should not be interpreted as support for Tinubu’s policies or personality, but as an appeal for decorum in political discourse and respect for the institution of the presidency.
According to him, anyone seeking Nigerians’ mandate to occupy the presidency should demonstrate respect for the office, including when a political opponent is occupying it.
Osuntokun Cites ‘Segun’ And ‘Mohammadu’ Example
To illustrate his argument, Osuntokun asked Nigerians to imagine a former Vice President repeatedly referring to a sitting President by his first name throughout a national address.
“Imagine a former Vice President referring throughout a national address to a sitting President as ‘Segun’ or ‘Mohammadu’. The rudeness would be unmistakable,” he said.
He also noted that those dissatisfied with Tinubu’s administration had constitutional and democratic avenues through which they could seek political change.
“Those who believe he is unfit for it have legitimate ways to pursue his removal: impeachment or defeat at the ballot box. Until then, Tinubu is entitled to the privileges of his office,” Osuntokun said.
Remarks Come Ahead Of 2027 Election
Atiku, who served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, is among opposition figures positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential contest.
Osuntokun’s comments come amid heightened political exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as parties and political actors prepare for the next general election.
His criticism focused specifically on Atiku’s manner of addressing Tinubu, rather than questioning the former Vice President’s right to scrutinise or oppose the President’s policies.
