The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola” during a press conference.

Keyamo made the criticism in a post on his X handle on Friday, describing Atiku’s reference to the President by his first name as disrespectful and discourteous.

He said political differences should not prevent the office of the President from being accorded the dignity it deserved.

Keyamo also accused Atiku of speaking from a position of personal grievance, saying the former Vice-President’s remarks reflected what he described as bitterness.

The minister further referred to Atiku’s recent claim concerning their respective ages, arguing that it was contradictory for the former Vice-President to describe Tinubu as older than himself while also addressing him by his first name.

Atiku had earlier addressed a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where he urged Tinubu to consider government intervention to reduce petrol prices.

The former Vice-President said the President should adopt his proposal, rename it if necessary and take credit for it if doing so would reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.

Atiku also warned against removing electricity subsidies in 2027, arguing that higher electricity costs could increase pressure on households, businesses and manufacturers.

Keyamo’s response focused on Atiku’s manner of referring to the President, rather than the substance of the former Vice-President’s proposals on fuel and electricity prices.