KEYAMO TACKLES ATIKU FOR CALLING TINUBU ‘BOLA’, SAYS IT’S DISRESPECTFUL

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reference to President Bola Tinubu simply as “Bola.”
Keyamo described the reference as disrespectful, arguing that Atiku, as a former vice president and senior political figure, should accord the president the appropriate respect when addressing him publicly.
The minister’s comments followed remarks by Atiku in which he referred to the president as “Bola” while discussing political and national issues.
Keyamo maintained that political disagreements should not remove the need for civility and respect among senior political leaders.
The exchange comes amid heightened political activity and disagreements between members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s opposition politics, while Keyamo is a leading member of the Tinubu administration.
The disagreement over the manner in which the president was addressed has added to the ongoing political exchanges between supporters of the government and opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.