Atiku's Spokesman Defends Use of 'Bola' for Tinubu

Paul Ibe, the media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, defended Atiku's use of the name "Bola" when addressing President Bola Tinubu in his Independence Day address. Ibe stated that the outrage over this reference does not constitute a legal offense, as there is no Nigerian law requiring individuals to prefix Tinubu's name with titles such as "President" or "His Excellency." He referenced Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a person cannot be convicted of a criminal offense unless it is prescribed in written law.

Ibe argued that the use of first names among political leaders is not uncommon, citing examples like former U.S. President Barack Obama addressing former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as "Angela." He also pointed out that Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, urging critics to focus on the substantive issues raised in Atiku's address rather than inventing offenses where none exist.