Nigeria: Oct 1 Statement - Osuntokun Faults Atiku's Repeated Reference to Tinubu As 'Bola'

What the report says

A Nigerian political dispute over the tone of opposition criticism of President Bola Tinubu is drawing attention after Akin Osuntokun, a former presidential spokesman and director-general of Peter Obi’s 2023 campaign, publicly rebuked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In a statement reported by Vanguard and carried by AllAfrica, Osuntokun said Abubakar had every right to attack Tinubu’s record, but argued that repeatedly referring to the president simply as “Bola” in an Oct. 1 address was disrespectful.

Osuntokun framed the issue as one of public decorum rather than loyalty to Tinubu’s policies. He said criticism of the president should be pursued through democratic channels, such as impeachment or the ballot box, and added that anyone seeking the presidency should show respect for the office even when challenging an incumbent. He also suggested that Abubakar’s wording could raise questions about his judgment and temperament.

The exchange comes as Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, remains one of the prominent figures positioning for future national contests, including the 2027 election cycle. The article adds a broader context familiar in Nigerian politics: debates over how to address public officeholders often become part of larger arguments about legitimacy, civility, and political rivalry.