A former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at the Presidency over criticism of his decision to address President Bola Tinubu by his first name.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Nigeria was not Tinubu’s personal estate and that occupying the presidency did not make the President immune from criticism.
Shaibu made the remarks in a statement responding to comments by presidential aides including Bayo Onanuga, Festus Keyamo and Sunday Dare, who had criticised Atiku for calling Tinubu by his first name during his Friday’s World Press Conference.
According to him, the Presidency’s focus on the use of Tinubu’s first name was an attempt to divert attention from the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
“Bola is his name. Nigerians elected a president, not an emperor. Public office does not confer divinity, and the Presidential Villa is not a royal court before which citizens must kneel, bow and whisper,” he said.
Shaibu argued that the Presidency should respond to concerns over the rising cost of living rather than focus on issues of presidential courtesy.
He listed the cost of petrol, food, transportation, rent and school fees among the challenges confronting Nigerians, insisting that Atiku had a right to publicly scrutinise the administration.
“The presidency is not Tinubu’s ancestral stool, and Nigeria is not his private estate,” he said.
The Atiku aide also rejected the description of Nigeria’s current economic hardship as “transient discomfort,” arguing that the impact of rising costs was being felt by households, businesses, workers and unemployed Nigerians.
He attributed the economic difficulties to major policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira.
“Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy without a coherent plan to protect Nigerians from the consequences. He floated the naira without adequate safeguards. He imposed pain immediately and postponed relief indefinitely,” Shaibu alleged.
He further criticised the government’s description of its economic reforms as “foundational lifting”, arguing that reforms should ultimately improve citizens’ living standards.
The Atiku camp also dismissed what it described as “recycled” allegations concerning the Mambilla power project, challenging Tinubu’s allies to present any evidence of wrongdoing before the appropriate authorities or courts.
“Mambilla is not responsible for today’s petrol price. Mambilla did not collapse the naira. Mambilla did not empty Nigerian kitchens. Bola Tinubu’s policies did,” Shaibu said.
On Atiku’s proposed economic interventions, Shaibu said the former vice president had advocated targeted and transparent support for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold domestically.
He said the proposal was intended to be tied to lower prices, increased domestic production and job creation.
Shaibu accused the President’s defenders of failing to provide an alternative to Atiku’s proposals, arguing that their response had instead focused on his language and past allegations.
He also dismissed claims that Atiku was seeking political relevance ahead of the 2027 election, saying the former vice president would continue to scrutinise the administration.
“Atiku will continue to speak. He will continue to propose solutions. He will continue to hold this administration accountable,” he said.
Shaibu said the Tinubu administration should focus on reducing the cost of living and restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power before the end of its current tenure.
He added that Nigerians would ultimately assess the administration’s performance during the 2027 elections.