Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has responded to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode's criticism of Atiku for referring to President Bola Tinubu as "Bola" in his October 1 address. Fani-Kayode had accused Atiku of being disrespectful and described the act as "bad manners" and "an insult to Nigeria." Ibe stated that the focus on the form of address misses the substance of Atiku's message. He emphasized that Nigeria is a republic, not a monarchy, and the President is an elected public servant, not an emperor.
Ibe argued that Atiku committed no crime or constitutional violation by calling Tinubu "Bola," adding that "President is an office, not a compulsory prefix shielding its occupant from criticism." He faulted Fani-Kayode's lecture on decency and decorum, accusing him of using derogatory terms to refer to people in the same post. Ibe also referenced Fani-Kayode's past altercation with a Daily Trust journalist and writings about Igbo people that have attracted accusations of ethnic stereotyping.
Reacting to Fani-Kayode's claim that Atiku betrayed ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibe said, "Atiku was Vice President, not Obasanjo's domestic servant. Indeed, Atiku's court victories from that era helped deepen Nigeria's constitutional democracy." He also disputed the claim that Obasanjo knelt before Atiku to seek a second term, saying Atiku has denied it and that it remains disputed history.
Ibe defended Atiku's comment describing former President Goodluck Jonathan as inexperienced, saying it was a political assessment. He also said that political rivals becoming allies is coalition building. Ibe emphasized that Atiku's October 1 speech raised questions about food prices, petrol affordability, electricity, insecurity, and quality of life under the Tinubu administration.
On the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Ibe said Atiku condemned the killing and that a post initially published was deployed without approval. He stressed that the focus should be on the issues raised in Atiku's speech rather than the form of address used.
Fani-Kayode had also quoted former Peter Obi campaign DG, Akin Osuntokun, who had criticized Atiku for calling the President "Bola." However, Ibe maintained that the substance of Atiku's message was more important than the form of address used.
The exchange between Ibe and Fani-Kayode highlights the ongoing debate about the relationship between politicians and the use of language in public discourse. Atiku's October 1 speech raised critical questions about the Tinubu administration, which Ibe said should be the focus of debate ahead of 2027.
Key points
- Atiku's aide, Paul Ibe, responds to Fani-Kayode's criticism on Atiku referring to President Tinubu as "Bola".
- Ibe defends Atiku's comments on former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan.
- The debate highlights the use of language in public discourse and the relationship between politicians.
