APC Urges Members to Respect Atiku Despite Criticism Over ‘Bola’ Remark
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has urged its leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to accord former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar the respect due to his former office, despite accusing him of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu.
The council’s position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, following controversy over Atiku’s decision to address the President by his first name, “Bola”.
According to the council, Atiku’s manner of addressing Tinubu fell short of the standard of decorum expected of a former vice-president and a politician seeking the country’s highest office.
However, the campaign council said its members should continue to extend the appropriate courtesies to Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), notwithstanding their political disagreements.
“Without any regard to his personal choice to disrespect the office he is aspiring to occupy, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has implored all party leaders, spokespersons, party members and support groups to accord all the respect, courtesies and regard due to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as former Vice President of Nigeria and a Presidential candidate,” Alake said in the statement.
The council accused Atiku of allowing political rivalry and ambition to influence his public conduct since losing the 2023 presidential election.
It also argued that a former occupant of the country’s second-highest political office should demonstrate the statesmanship and restraint expected of someone aspiring to become president.
The accusations represent the council’s assessment of Atiku’s conduct.
Despite its criticism, the APC campaign council said it would not adopt what it described as the former vice-president’s approach to political engagement.
“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 ahead of the 2027 presidential election would concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians, including the APC’s programmes, Tinubu’s record in office and the administration’s efforts to translate economic reforms into prosperity.
It said the party intended to present its policies and achievements to voters as Tinubu seeks a second term in office.
The statement comes amid political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 general election continue to attract attention.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now the ADC’s presidential candidate, according to the reports surrounding the latest controversy.
The campaign council’s statement did not withdraw its criticism of Atiku. Instead, it combined that criticism with an appeal for its members to maintain respect for the former vice-president.
