Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has criticised former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu by his first name during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
In a post on his X handle, Keyamo described the address as “very disrespectful and discourteous.” He argued that political differences should not erode the dignity attached to the office of the President.
“The continuous reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by His Excellency, ex Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in his Press Conference earlier today as ‘Bola’ is very disrespectful and discourteous,” Keyamo wrote. “He should know better that no matter your differences with Mr. President, for the sake of the country, that office should be accorded all the dignity it deserves.”
Keyamo also took issue with Atiku’s overall tone, suggesting it revealed underlying personal grievances. “The tone reeks of pain and bitterness in his heart,” the minister stated.
He further highlighted what he called a contradiction in Atiku’s stance. Noting Atiku’s recent claim that President Tinubu is older than him, Keyamo questioned why the former Vice-President would then address an “elder” by his first name.
The remarks came as Atiku urged the Tinubu administration to adopt his proposal for government intervention aimed at reducing the cost of petrol. The ADC candidate said the President was free to modify, rename, and even take full credit for the idea if it would make fuel more affordable for Nigerians.
Speaking at the Abuja press conference, Atiku also called for broader measures to tackle the rising cost of living, insisting that palliatives alone would not solve the economic hardships facing citizens.
“Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petrol simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention. He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less,” Atiku said.