In a recent development, Paul Ibe, spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has come out in defense of his principal's decision to refer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by his first name, "Bola". Ibe stated that there is no Nigerian law that makes it an offense to do so. This statement was made in response to criticism Atiku faced after repeatedly referring to Tinubu as "Bola" while discussing various issues.
The criticism of Atiku's choice of words was sparked by his comments on the cost of petrol and electricity, where he simply referred to Tinubu as "Bola". Some government officials, including Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and presidential spokesman Sunday Dare, described Atiku's reference as "very disrespectful and discourteous". However, Ibe argued that such criticism cannot be turned into a criminal offense, citing Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to Ibe, Section 36(12) of the Constitution requires that offenses and their punishments be prescribed by written law. He therefore challenged those claiming Atiku committed an offense to produce the law that stipulates Nigerians must always prefix Tinubu's name with titles such as "President", "His Excellency", or "Mr. President". Ibe emphasized that no such law exists, and thus, Atiku's actions do not constitute an offense.
Ibe also pointed out that the use of first names among political leaders is not unusual. He cited the example of former United States President Barack Obama, who publicly referred to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as "Angela" at official events. This, Ibe suggested, demonstrates that using first names in a political context is a common practice.
Furthermore, Ibe referenced Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. He stated that while people may debate Atiku's style and express a preference for using titles, they should not invent an offense where none exists. Ibe emphasized that "Bola is his name, President is his office", and therefore, Atiku's reference to Tinubu by his first name is legitimate.
Ibe, however, shifted the focus from the manner in which Atiku addressed Tinubu to the issues raised by Atiku in his Independence Anniversary address. He suggested that rather than debating the form of address, the discussion should center on the substance of Atiku's comments. This, Ibe implied, would be a more productive and meaningful engagement with the issues at hand.
The debate over Atiku's reference to Tinubu by his first name highlights the complexities of communication and protocol in Nigeria's political landscape. As the country continues to navigate its democratic journey, such discussions underscore the need for clarity on the norms and laws governing political discourse.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar's spokesman, Paul Ibe, defends the former VP's decision to refer to President Tinubu by his first name, "Bola", citing the absence of a relevant law.
- Ibe challenges critics to produce a law that requires the use of titles when addressing Tinubu, emphasizing that no such law exists.
- The debate over Atiku's reference to Tinubu highlights the complexities of communication and protocol in Nigeria's political landscape.
