The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for referring to President Bola Tinubu by his first name, accusing the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate of allowing political ambition to undermine the standards expected of a former occupant of high public office.

The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, who is also the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, expressed the position in a statement on Monday. He argued that Atiku should demonstrate greater restraint and respect in his public comments, particularly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Alake, the former vice-president has repeatedly addressed Tinubu as “Bola” while criticising his administration. Atiku has also described the government as a “Yahoo Yahoo” administration and questioned aspects of the President’s educational background, according to the statement.

Alake said the APC campaign council had urged its leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue treating Atiku with the courtesies due to a former vice-president and presidential candidate, notwithstanding their political differences. He maintained that disagreement should not prevent political actors from observing what the party considers appropriate standards of public conduct.

The council also said its campaign would concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians, the APC’s policy programmes and the Tinubu administration’s record. Alake said the party intended to present the President’s economic reforms and other government initiatives as part of its case for a second term in office.

The controversy comes amid increasing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Atiku, the ADC’s presidential candidate, has continued to criticise the Tinubu administration, particularly over economic conditions and the impact of government policies on Nigerians.

The APC’s response has placed the language used in political debate at the centre of the dispute, although the substantive contest ahead of the election will also involve competing proposals on the economy, security, education and public welfare. Neither a politician’s choice of address nor a party’s criticism of it, on its own, establishes the merits of either side’s policy arguments.