*L-R: President Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for addressing President Bola Tinubu by his first name, describing the action as disrespectful to the office of the President.
The council, however, directed its spokespersons, party leaders, members and support groups to continue according Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the courtesies due to a former vice-president and presidential aspirant.
In a statement issued on Monday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said Atiku’s conduct fell short of the standard of decorum expected of a former occupant of the nation’s second-highest political office.
The council said it was concerned about what it described as Atiku’s disregard for the presidency, particularly his decision to address Tinubu simply as “Bola”.
It alleged that political differences and ambition had influenced the former vice-president’s public conduct since his defeat in the last presidential election.
“While a higher standard of decorum, decency and deference to constituted authorities is expected from a former Vice President of Nigeria and an aspirant to the highest office in the country, we are concerned that the ADC Presidential candidate has not lived up to those expectations,” the statement said.
The APC council also accused Atiku of setting a poor example for younger politicians, arguing that his public conduct should reflect the dignity associated with his former office.
Despite its criticism, the council said it would not encourage its members or campaign spokespersons to respond in kind.
It urged APC leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to show Atiku the respect and courtesies due to him as a former vice-president and presidential candidate.
“As a party grounded in progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect, our campaign council will not follow Alhaji Atiku’s path,” the statement added.
The council said its campaign would instead focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
It said the APC would highlight the President’s record in office and present what it described as his administration’s efforts to move Nigeria from economic reforms to prosperity as he seeks a second term.
The statement comes amid political exchanges between supporters of Tinubu and Atiku, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the ADC.