Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply as “Bola”, describing the manner of address as disrespectful.
Keyamo’s reaction follows comments by Atiku in Abuja on Friday, September 18, 2026, in which the former vice president called on Tinubu to use what he described as the remaining eight months of the administration to take measures aimed at reducing economic hardship.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), specifically urged the President to consider interventions that could reduce petrol prices and ease pressure on households, businesses and workers.
The exchange adds another dimension to the increasingly public political disagreements between the two figures as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Atiku Appeals to Tinubu Over Economic Hardship
Atiku made the remarks while addressing the state of the Nigerian economy and the impact of government reforms on citizens.
According to reports by The Guardian, ThisDay and other Nigerian newspapers, the former vice president argued that economic reforms should ultimately be assessed by their effect on citizens’ living standards and purchasing power.
Atiku said government revenue, allocations and economic growth figures should not be the only measures used to assess the performance of the economy.
He called on Tinubu to take steps that would reduce the cost of petrol and provide relief to Nigerians.
In his address, Atiku referred to the President as “Bola” while urging him to use the remaining period of his administration to ease economic pressure.
The former vice president also argued that Tinubu should be willing to adopt policy proposals from political opponents if such measures could reduce costs for Nigerians.
Keyamo Objects to the Manner of Address
Keyamo subsequently took issue with Atiku’s use of “Bola” when referring to the President.
The minister described the manner of addressing Tinubu as disrespectful, bringing the issue of political decorum into the wider disagreement over economic policy.
Keyamo and Atiku have previously exchanged public criticisms on political and policy issues, including the direction of the Federal Government and preparations for the 2027 election.
The latest disagreement, however, centres on the language used in addressing the President rather than solely on the economic proposals contained in Atiku’s statement.
Weng Global could not independently verify the full wording of Keyamo’s latest response beyond reports attributing the criticism to the minister.
Atiku’s Economic Argument
Atiku’s wider intervention focused on the continuing debate over petrol prices, subsidy policy and the purchasing power of Nigerians.
He argued that the consequences of higher energy costs extend beyond the price paid at filling stations because fuel costs affect transportation, manufacturing, food distribution and household expenditure.
The former vice president has previously criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration and has advocated government intervention aimed at reducing the burden on consumers.
In recent months, Atiku has repeatedly challenged the Federal Government over the economic consequences of its reforms.
Premium Times reported in August that Atiku reaffirmed his position that he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
His latest comments therefore form part of a continuing policy disagreement rather than an isolated exchange between the two politicians.
Tinubu Government Defends Its Economic Reforms
The Tinubu administration has maintained that its economic reforms are intended to address structural problems and create conditions for longer-term economic growth.
In his May 2026 statement marking the third anniversary of his administration, Tinubu pointed to government measures in areas including infrastructure, energy, digital development, investment and economic reform.
The Presidency has also previously rejected Atiku’s criticisms of its economic policies.
In August, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga responded to Atiku’s criticism of the administration’s economic management, arguing that some of the former vice president’s claims relied on outdated data.
The disagreement reflects a broader debate in Nigeria over whether the immediate hardship associated with economic reforms should be weighed against longer-term macroeconomic objectives.
A History of Political Exchanges
The latest exchange is not the first time Keyamo and Atiku have publicly disagreed.
Keyamo, who served as a prominent spokesperson for the APC presidential campaign during the 2023 election, has remained a vocal defender of the Tinubu administration.
Atiku, meanwhile, has become one of the administration’s prominent political critics and is now the presidential candidate of the ADC ahead of the 2027 election.
The two camps have clashed on economic policy, political realignment, Tinubu’s record in office and other national issues.
In July 2025, for example, Keyamo criticised the timing of Atiku’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, arguing that its public release came during the mourning period following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Channels Television reported that Keyamo also raised questions about Atiku’s continued use of the Federal Government’s Coat of Arms in private political communications.
The repeated exchanges illustrate how policy disagreements and political rivalry increasingly overlap as the 2027 election approaches.
The “Bola” Dispute Comes Amid Wider Political Tensions
The disagreement over Atiku’s reference to Tinubu comes at a time of heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku has already been involved in legal proceedings challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the next presidential election. A Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted Atiku permission to serve court processes on Tinubu through the APC after difficulties with personal service.
Atiku has also continued to criticise the administration’s economic policies and has presented his own proposals as alternatives.
The Tinubu administration and its supporters, in turn, have continued to defend the President’s record and challenge claims made by opposition figures.
The political environment has therefore become increasingly focused on both policy differences and personal exchanges among leading political actors.
Why the Exchange Matters
The dispute is significant because it illustrates two separate issues within Nigeria’s current political debate.
The first is substantive: how the government should respond to rising living costs, fuel prices, purchasing-power pressures and the broader consequences of economic reforms.
The second concerns political communication and public discourse, particularly how senior political figures address one another during an increasingly competitive period.
For voters and citizens, distinguishing between these two dimensions is important.
A disagreement over the appropriate form of address should not obscure the underlying policy questions surrounding petrol prices, subsidy policy and household welfare.
Similarly, political criticism of government policy should be assessed separately from questions of personal language and political etiquette.
2027 Politics Shapes the Debate
The exchange also comes against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku is now seeking the presidency on the ADC platform, while Tinubu is expected to seek another term under the APC.
Political parties and candidates are increasingly presenting competing positions on the economy, security, governance and other national issues.
Keyamo has also recently been involved in political exchanges involving other opposition figures, including Peter Obi, whom he said should be subjected to scrutiny of his record as governor of Anambra State just as Tinubu’s record as former Lagos State governor has been examined.
These developments indicate that scrutiny of political records and competing policy proposals is likely to remain a central feature of Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of 2027.
What Happens Next
The immediate issue between Keyamo and Atiku is unlikely to be separated from the wider political debate over the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.
Atiku is expected to continue presenting his policy alternatives as part of his opposition campaign, while government officials and APC supporters are likely to defend the administration’s reforms and challenge criticisms from opposition politicians.
For Nigerians, the more consequential part of the debate remains the substance of the competing proposals: petrol pricing, energy costs, household purchasing power, government intervention and the long-term direction of economic policy.
The disagreement over the use of “Bola” may generate political reactions, but the underlying economic debate has wider implications for households, businesses and the government.
As the 2027 political season develops, public attention will increasingly focus on what each political actor proposes, the evidence supporting those proposals and their potential implications for Nigerians.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
Sources
- The Guardian Nigeria — September 18, 2026 report on Atiku’s call for President Tinubu to act on economic hardship.
- ThisDay — September 18, 2026 report on Atiku’s appeal for intervention to reduce petrol and diesel prices.
- Premium Times — Reports on Atiku’s economic policy positions and political activities.
- Channels Television — Report on previous exchanges between Festus Keyamo and Atiku Abubakar.
- The State House, Abuja — President Tinubu’s May 2026 statement on his administration’s economic reforms.
- Punch Newspapers — Recent reporting on political exchanges involving Keyamo, Tinubu and opposition figures.
