Former presidential spokesman and Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign,Akin Osuntokun, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola” in his October 1 address.

Osuntokun said Atiku was entitled to criticise Tinubu and his administration but described his manner of addressing the president as disrespectful to the office.

In a statement on Thursday, Osuntokun said his long-standing 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.

“Abubakar is entitled to criticise the President, however sharply. What I found objectionable was his repeated decision to call him ‘Bola’,” Osuntokun said.

He described the choice of words as “a needless display of disrespect”, arguing that it was primarily an insult to Nigeria because Tinubu occupies the presidency.

Osuntokun said Tinubu is Nigeria’s elected president and occupies the same office Atiku is seeking, adding that Nigerians who oppose the president have constitutional and democratic means of seeking his removal.

“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,” he said.

He stressed that his position was not a call for deference to Tinubu’s policies or personality but for decorum in public discourse and respect for the institution of the presidency.

Osuntokun also argued that anyone seeking Nigerians’ mandate to occupy the presidency should demonstrate respect for the office, including when an opponent holds it.

“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 added that Atiku’s choice of words raised questions about the judgment and temperament he would bring to the presidency if elected.

Atiku served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007 and is seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general election. (Arise News)