The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by his first name during a press conference.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Keyamo described Atiku’s continuous reference to the President as ‘Bola’ as “very disrespectful and discourteous.”
“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.
The Minister said irrespective of political differences, the Office of the President should be accorded dignity for the sake of the country.
“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. The tone reeks of pain and bitterness in his heart,” he stated.
Keyamo also pointed out what he described as a contradiction in Atiku’s position, recalling Atiku’s earlier claim about the President’s age.
“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 added.
The comments come following a press conference addressed by the former Vice President earlier today.
