Former presidential aide and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to apologise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his repeated use of the President’s first name during a recent press conference.
Omokri made the appeal in an open letter titled ‘Why Waziri Atiku Abubakar Should Apologise To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ arguing that Atiku’s manner of addressing the President could set a troubling precedent for political discourse and national unity.
In the letter, Omokri called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain to show greater respect for the office of the President, irrespective of their political differences.
“Sir, I appeal to you, as a most respected elder statesman, to find it within yourself to address the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with the respect due to his office,” he wrote.
Omokri argued that Atiku’s decision to refer to Tinubu as ‘Bola’ could create the impression that the former Vice President applies different standards of respect to political leaders based on their ethnic or regional backgrounds.
He pointed out that Atiku had never referred to former President Muhammadu Buhari simply as ‘Muhammadu’ during their political contest in 2019, suggesting that the contrast could fuel perceptions of ethnic bias.
“Also, because you never referred to President Muhammadu Buhari, whom you contested against in 2019, as Muhammadu, your action of referring to the President as ‘Bola’ will divide Nigeria and cause Nigerians to believe that you respected General Muhammadu Buhari because he was a Northerner and was of the same ethnicity as you. I know that is not the case,” Omokri wrote.
The former presidential aide also drew a comparison between Atiku’s relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his dealings with Tinubu.
He recalled that Obasanjo had, in December 2006, declared Atiku’s office as Vice President vacant, withdrawn his rights and privileges, and ordered him out of a Federal Executive Council meeting. Despite their bitter political disagreements, Omokri noted that Atiku continued to address Obasanjo by his presidential title.
According to him, Tinubu had not subjected Atiku to similar treatment and had previously supported him when he was being bullied, including offering him a presidential ticket on the platform of the Action Congress.
Omokri stressed that Atiku remained free to criticise Tinubu’s administration and policies but should do so without appearing to undermine the office of the President.
“By all means, sir, do criticise the President. That is what democracy is all about. But in doing so, you ought to still give regard to the office he holds. To disrespect that office is to disrespect Nigeria, the very same country you aspire to lead,” he wrote.
To reinforce his argument, Omokri cited an alleged exchange between former United States President Barack Obama and television host Trevor Noah on November 17, 2022. He claimed Obama had cautioned Noah against addressing him by his first name.
According to Omokri, Obama said: “You should call me ‘Mr President. ‘ President.’”
He argued that the principle of respecting the presidential office should apply even more strongly to a serving head of state.
“Calling a President by their proper appellation, which is “Mr President” or “Madam President”, shows that you are a democrat who recognises that the Head of State of a country is ALWAYS worthy of respect because of the office they occupy and the people they lead,” he wrote.
Omokri maintained that Atiku could have made his criticisms while addressing Tinubu by his official titles, including President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also recalled an incident in November 2022 in which Atiku reportedly accused another politician of being rude and disrespectful towards him and demanded an apology.
Citing the episode, Omokri argued that the former Vice President should apply the same standard of respect he expects from others.
“I sincerely appeal to you, sir, to acknowledge the error of calling the President by his first name, apologise for being indecorous to him, and set a better standard of democratic behaviour for younger Nigerians to follow,” he wrote.
