Paul Ibe, media aide to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted sarcastically to criticism over his reference to President Bola Tinubu simply as “Bola.”
Ibe, in a post on X on Wednesday, said he “apologised” for using the President’s first name, suggesting that he should instead have referred to Tinubu as “Amoda”, a name he said had long been associated with him.
“I ‘apologise’ for calling Tinubu ‘Bola.’
“I had no idea four letters could cause this much national distress,” Ibe wrote.
He added, “Perhaps I should have said ‘Amoda’ — the foundational name long associated with him.”
Ibe further linked the controversy to longstanding political debates surrounding Tinubu’s name, background, educational records and official documents.
“So, ‘correction’ duly noted: ‘Bola’ was apparently too familiar. ‘Amoda’ is disputed. Tinubu it is — pending further documentation,” he added.
The latest remarks follow a broader dispute over Atiku’s use of Tinubu’s first name in his Independence Day address. Ibe had earlier defended the former Vice President’s choice, arguing that there is no Nigerian law requiring citizens to address the President by an official title before using his name.
The controversy comes amid heightened political exchanges between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
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