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 as “Bola.”
Ibe, in a post on X on Wednesday, said he apologised for using the name, adding that he should perhaps have referred to the president as “Amoda,” a name he said had long been associated with Tinubu.
“I ‘apologise’ for calling Tinubu ‘Bola.’
“I had no idea four letters could cause this much national distress.
“Perhaps I should have said ‘Amoda’ — the foundational name long associated with him,” Ibe wrote.
He further said the controversies surrounding Tinubu’s name, background, certificates, records and documents had made addressing the president appear to require additional explanations.
“So, ‘correction’ duly noted: ‘Bola’ was apparently too familiar. ‘Amoda’ is disputed. Tinubu it is — pending further documentation,” he added.
The post comes amid renewed political exchanges between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tinubu’s educational records have been the subject of political controversy over the years, with opponents and supporters offering differing interpretations of issues surrounding his name and personal records.
‘I should’ve said ‘Amoda’ – Atiku’s camp adamant on addressing president as ‘Tinubu’