Phrank Shaibu, a senior aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has defended his principal’s decision to address President Bola Tinubu by his first name, arguing that doing so is not disrespectful.

Shaibu, who serves as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) director of strategic communication, made the remarks during an appearance on the ‘Mic On Podcast’ hosted by Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, criticising those who consider Atiku’s choice of address inappropriate.

He described the criticism as “wretched illiteracy”, insisting that Bola is the name by which the president is commonly known.

“Those who say that, I think it smacks of wretched illiteracy for anybody to contemplate the issue of disrespect as it relates to addressing Bola by his name,” Shaibu said.

“That is his name. He has no other name. His name is Bola and he should be called Bola,” he added.

Shaibu also questioned why the president’s full name had become an issue, saying, “We have asked him before, what is the prefix before Bola. But he has never told us the complete name. Maybe that is why it’s been queried.”

He further defended Atiku’s approach by pointing to the economic difficulties Nigerians have experienced under Tinubu’s administration.

“That is his name. A man who does not care and has inflicted pain on over 200 million Nigerians should be addressed by his name. What other name do you want us to call him?” he asked.

The debate follows repeated criticism of Atiku’s references to the president as Bola during public remarks in Abuja.

In September, the former vice-president urged Tinubu to use the remaining eight months of a period he referenced to provide relief to Nigerians, as he criticised the removal of petrol subsidy.

Atiku has argued that the policy, implemented in May 2023, contributed to rising transportation, food, logistics and energy costs across the country.

The presidency has rejected Atiku’s manner of addressing the president. Sunday Dare, Tinubu’s special adviser on media and public communication, described it as “the height of insolence” in a September 19 post on X, accusing the former vice-president of political desperation.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo also criticised the practice, describing it as “disrespectful and discourteous”. He argued that political differences should not prevent the president’s office from receiving due respect.

Akin Osuntokun, a former presidential spokesman and director-general of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, similarly described Atiku’s approach as “unmistakable rudeness”.

Osuntokun maintained that Atiku was entitled to criticise Tinubu and his administration but argued that the manner in which he addressed the president showed disrespect for the office. (Arise News)