2027: APC slams Atiku over addressing Tinubu by first name, vows to maintain protocol

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his decision to address President Bola Tinubu by his first name, describing the action as disrespectful to the office of the President.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), came under criticism from the ruling party, which said his conduct fell short of the decorum expected of a former vice-president and a presidential aspirant.

In a statement dated October 12, 2026, and signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the party said it expected Atiku to demonstrate greater respect for constituted authority.

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The statement was titled, “APC Campaign Spokespersons Will Not Travel Atiku’s Route of Disrespecting Protocol.”

The ruling party accused Atiku of allowing political animosity and ambition to influence his public conduct since losing the last presidential election.

“Since Alhaji Atiku lost the last Presidential election, he has allowed political animosity and uncontrollable ambition to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his public conduct and utterances,” the statement said.

The APC also criticised what it described as Atiku’s failure to set a positive example for younger politicians, arguing that his conduct was inconsistent with the standards expected of someone seeking the country’s highest office.

Despite its criticism, the APC Presidential Campaign Council urged party leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to accord Atiku the respect and courtesies due to him as a former vice-president and presidential candidate.

The party said it would not adopt what it described as Atiku’s approach to political conduct, citing its commitment to progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect.

The campaign council said it would concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians, the APC’s programmes and Tinubu’s record in office as the President seeks a second term.

“Our campaign will focus on issues important to Nigerians. We will sell our party programmes, President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in office, and how the administration is moving Nigeria from reforms to prosperity as the President seeks a second-term mandate from Nigerians,” the statement said.