Tinubu Aide Fires Back at Atiku Over ‘Bola’ Remark

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated reference to the President by his first name, Bola, during a recent press conference in Abuja.

Dare made his position known on Saturday while reacting to comments made by Atiku at the press conference on Friday, where the former Vice-President spoke about the rising cost of petrol and called for government action to bring down the price.

Atiku had urged the Tinubu administration to consider government intervention to reduce the cost of petrol, saying the President could adopt the proposal, give it a different name and take credit for it if the move would ease the financial pressure on Nigerians.

Dare, however, took issue with the manner in which Atiku addressed the President, arguing that referring to a sitting President by his first name while giving directions on how the government should operate was disrespectful.

The presidential aide described Atiku’s approach as an example of political arrogance and accused him of trying to dictate how the administration should manage the country within a short period.

Dare also rejected Atiku’s criticism of the government’s handling of the economy. He argued that the former Vice-President was not in a position to lecture the Tinubu administration on fiscal management.

He defended the economic policies of the Tinubu government, saying the President was carrying out reforms aimed at changing the structure of an economy that had faced years of financial pressure and the cost of fuel subsidies.

The presidential aide also questioned Atiku’s call for government intervention in petrol pricing. He described the proposal as a political move that could be aimed at gaining public support ahead of the 2027 general election.

Dare’s comments came a day after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also criticised Atiku for referring to Tinubu as Bola during the same press conference.

Keyamo said the way Atiku addressed the President was discourteous and argued that the office of the President should be treated with respect despite political disagreements.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has been making moves ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Tinubu is also expected to seek another term in office under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The exchange between Atiku and officials of the Tinubu administration comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 election, with economic policies, petrol prices and the cost of living forming part of the issues being debated by political figures.