The media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has defended his principal's decision to refer to President Bola Tinubu simply as "Bola" in his Independence Day address. Ibe stated that Atiku committed no offence by using the president's first name. He emphasized that "Bola" is indeed the president's name and that there is no Nigerian law that makes it a criminal offence to address a president by his first name.
Ibe cited Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that no person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless the offence and its punishment are prescribed in a written law. He argued that those claiming Atiku committed an offence should produce the law that requires Nigerians to prefix President Tinubu's name with "President," "His Excellency," or "Mr President." Ibe maintained that no such law exists.
The use of first names among political leaders is not unusual, according to Ibe. He noted that former United States President Barack Obama publicly referred to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel simply as "Angela" at official events. Ibe added that this example demonstrates that using a leader's first name is not a breach of protocol or a crime.
Ibe also cited Section 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. He stated that while people may debate Atiku's style and express a preference for "President Tinubu," they should not invent an offence where none exists. Ibe emphasized that "Bola" is the president's name, and "President" is his office.
According to Ibe, the more important question is whether Atiku's critics can address the substantive issues he raised in his Independence Day state-of-the-nation address. Ibe shifted the focus from the naming issue to the content of Atiku's address, implying that critics should engage with the substance of his message rather than his style.
Ibe's defence of Atiku's actions has sparked a wider debate about the protocol for addressing the president. While some have expressed outrage at Atiku's use of the president's first name, others have come to his defence, arguing that it is a matter of personal style and not a breach of any law.
The controversy highlights the ongoing discussions about Nigeria's democratic norms and the limits of free speech. As the country continues to evolve, the debate over how to address the president and other leaders is likely to continue, with different stakeholders holding varying views on the matter.
Key points
- Atiku's spokesman Paul Ibe says referring to President Tinubu as 'Bola' is not a crime.
- Ibe cites the 1999 Constitution to defend Atiku's actions.
- The controversy sparks debate about democratic norms and free speech in Nigeria.
