Bola: ‘President is elected public servant, not emperor’ — Atiku aide hits Fani-Kayode

Paul Ibe, the media assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has responded to former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode's criticism of Atiku's use of the informal term "Bola" to refer to President Bola Tinubu on Nigeria's 2023 Independence Day. Ibe argued that Fani-Kayode's comments were misplaced, as the President's name is indeed Bola, and addressing him by his first name does not constitute an offense.

He emphasized that Nigeria is a republic, not a monarchy, and the President is an elected public servant, not an emperor who must be addressed with formal titles. Ibe also criticized Fani-Kayode's moral contradictions, noting that while he lectured Atiku on decorum, he himself used derogatory terms and threatened the journalist who asked him a question.

He suggested that Fani-Kayode's personal baggage should be addressed before he judged Atiku's character. Ibe further pointed out that Fani-Kayode's claims about the Obasanjo era and Goodluck Jonathan's preparedness for office were disputed and that political disagreement does not equate to treason. He also noted that Atiku's court victories contributed to Nigeria's constitutional democracy.

Finally, Ibe highlighted that Nigerians should focus on tangible issues like food prices, petrol affordability, electricity, jobs, insecurity, and the economy rather than debates over forms of address.