Osuntokun faults Atiku for calling Tinubu ‘Bola’ in Independence Day address

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

Osuntokun said Atiku had every right to criticise Tinubu and his administration but described his repeated use of the president’s first name as disrespectful to the office he occupies.

In a statement on Thursday, Osuntokun said his long-standing cordial relationship with Atiku had made him reluctant to criticise the former vice-president 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’,” he said.

“That was not a more forceful argument; it was a needless display of disrespect. This is not acceptable. It is primarily an insult to Nigeria, on whose account he occupies that office.”

Osuntokun said Tinubu, as Nigeria’s elected president, was entitled to the privileges of the office until he was removed through constitutional or democratic means.

He said Nigerians opposed to the President could seek his removal through impeachment or defeat at the ballot box.

“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.