Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to apologise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for repeatedly referring to him by his first name during a press conference.
Omokri, in an open letter addressed to Atiku, argued that the former vice-president’s decision to call the President “Bola” rather than “President Bola Tinubu” was disrespectful to the office of the President and could set a poor precedent for political engagement in Nigeria.
He urged Atiku, whom he described as a respected elder statesman, to demonstrate greater regard for the presidency, even while criticising the policies and actions of the Tinubu administration.
“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,” Omokri said.
According to him, Atiku’s manner of addressing Tinubu reflected poorly on the country and risked portraying opposition politics as lacking decorum.
Omokri maintained that political disagreements should not prevent leaders from recognising the dignity of the offices occupied by their opponents.
He also expressed concern that Atiku’s reference to Tinubu by his first name could fuel perceptions that the former vice-president had shown greater respect to late President Muhammadu Buhari because of their shared northern and ethnic backgrounds.
However, Omokri said he did not believe such an interpretation reflected Atiku’s true position.
Drawing comparisons with Atiku’s past political relationships, Omokri noted that the former vice-president continued to address former President Olusegun Obasanjo by his presidential title even during their bitter political disagreements.
He recalled that Obasanjo had, in December 2006, declared the office of the vice-president vacant, withdrawn Atiku’s rights and privileges, and ordered him out of a Federal Executive Council meeting.
Omokri contrasted that episode with Tinubu’s past relationship with Atiku, claiming that the current President had supported the former vice-president during a difficult political period and offered him a presidential ticket on the platform of the Action Congress.
He questioned why Atiku would show Obasanjo such deference while addressing Tinubu by his first name.
“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,” Omokri said.
“To disrespect that office is to disrespect Nigeria, the very same country you aspire to lead.”
The former presidential aide further cited an encounter involving former United States President Barack Obama and television host Trevor Noah in November 2022, claiming that Obama had insisted on being addressed as “Mr President” rather than by his first name.
Omokri argued that if such courtesy was appropriate for a former president, it was even more necessary when addressing an incumbent head of state.
He said using titles such as “Mr President” or “Madam President” demonstrated recognition of the authority and responsibilities attached to the office, regardless of political differences.
The open letter also referenced an incident in November 2022, when Atiku reportedly accused a prominent politician of being rude and disrespectful towards him and demanded an apology.
Omokri cited the episode to argue that the former vice-president should extend to others the same courtesy he expects for himself.
He urged Atiku to acknowledge what he described as an error of judgment, apologise to Tinubu and set an example of responsible political conduct for younger Nigerians.
“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 said.
Omokri concluded by praying for Nigeria and the sustenance of the country’s democracy.
