APC Tells Supporters to Accord Atiku Due Respect
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has urged its leaders, members and support groups to accord former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar the respect and courtesies befitting his former office and status as a presidential candidate.
The directive came amid controversy over Atiku’s decision to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply as “Bola,” a move the ruling party described as lacking decorum.
In a statement issued on Monday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said party members should maintain civility towards Atiku despite their disagreement with his conduct.
Alake said Atiku’s personal approach to addressing the President should not influence how APC members treat him, given his position as a former vice-president and a presidential candidate.
The council criticised Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, over what it described as a failure to observe the respect expected of someone who had occupied the nation’s second-highest political office.
It also accused the former vice-president of allowing political rivalry and personal ambition to shape his public conduct following his defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
However, the APC campaign council said it would not adopt what it characterised as Atiku’s style of political engagement, insisting that its members should uphold standards of respect and civility.
The council further stated that its campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election would focus on issues of national importance rather than personal exchanges with political opponents.
According to the statement, the APC intends to highlight its policies and programmes, Tinubu’s performance in office and what it described as the administration’s efforts to transition the country from economic reforms to prosperity.
The council maintained that its campaign would centre on presenting the government’s achievements and agenda to Nigerians as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
