Shettima Tackles Atiku, Says Calling Tinubu Bola Won’t Change His Presidential Status

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his manner of referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that addressing the Nigerian leader by his first name does not diminish his constitutional authority.

ccording to Bush Radio Academy, Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Vice-President maintained that Tinubu remained the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, regardless of the name or title used by his political opponents.

Shettima argued that personal references to the President could not change the status of the office he occupies, stressing that the country’s leadership position carries constitutional authority.

“You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle. But the truth is that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

The Vice-President also took aim at Atiku over his repeated attempts to become Nigeria’s president, drawing a comparison between the former vice-president and Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former prime minister, who contested the country’s presidency several times without securing victory.

Shettima questioned Atiku’s repeated presidential bids but maintained that he would continue to accord him the respect due to a former vice-president.

He emphasised that, despite their political differences, he would continue to address Atiku respectfully rather than adopt what he considered inappropriate language.

“I will still respect him and call him former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar,” Shettima said.

He further argued that Atiku’s repeated presidential contests did not make him comparable to former United States President Abraham Lincoln, instead likening his political journey to that of Odinga.

The remarks came amid preparations for the 2027 general election, as the APC intensifies efforts to secure Tinubu’s re-election while opposition parties prepare to challenge the ruling party at the polls.

Shettima’s comments highlight the growing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures as debate over leadership, political ambition and the forthcoming presidential election continues.