Keyamo tackles Atiku for calling Tinubu ‘Bola’, says it’s disrespectful

Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Credit: Festus Keyamo / X

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola” during a press conference on Friday.
Keyamo, in a post on his X handle on Friday, described Atiku’s reference to the President by his first name as “very disrespectful and discourteous”, saying the office of the President should be accorded dignity irrespective of political differences.
“The continuous reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT by His Excellency, ex Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in his Press Conference earlier today as ‘Bola’ is very disrespectful and discourteous,” Keyamo said.
“He should know better that no matter your differences with Mr. President, for the sake of the country, that office should be accorded all the dignity it deserves.”
Keyamo also accused Atiku of speaking from a position of personal grievance, saying, “The tone reeks of pain and bitterness in his heart.”See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google
The minister further referred to Atiku’s recent claim about their ages, arguing that it was inconsistent for him to describe Tinubu as older than himself and simultaneously address him by his first name. Lagos APC takes Tinubu, Hamzat 2027 campaign to Nigerians in US Remain professionally ready, Naval chief urges 135 new officers Tinubu celebrates Bishop Oyedepo at 72
“After all, he made the outlandish claim the other day that Mr. President is older than himself. It is therefore a contradiction that he would also refer to an ‘elder’ by his first name,” Keyamo said.
Atiku had earlier urged Tinubu to adopt his proposal for government intervention to reduce petrol prices, saying the President could rename the idea and take credit for it if it would reduce the burden on Nigerians.
Atiku made the remarks at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where he also called for measures to reduce the cost of petrol and warned against relying on palliatives to address rising living costs.
“Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petrol simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention.
“He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less,” he said.

Olugbenga Ige
Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don’t miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.