‘Now You See Why We Call Him Bola’ — Atiku’s Aide Reacts to Tinubu’s Governor Gaffe

Phrank Shaibu, an aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu after the Nigerian leader mistakenly referred to himself as a governor during an All Progressives Congress (APC) event in Abuja.

Shaibu, a Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, reacted to the remark by questioning why Tinubu would describe himself as a governor after spending about three and a half years as President.

The incident occurred during the inauguration of members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, where Tinubu acknowledged the presence of a friend and spoke about preparations for his anticipated second-term bid.

While referring to the role of the campaign council’s Director-General, Tinubu said: “I have seen my friend here that I must thank. And next will be the recognition of the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council that will bring Governor Bola Tinubu back for second term.”

The statement attracted attention because Tinubu, who served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, is currently Nigeria’s President and is expected to seek re-election in 2027.

Reacting to the remark, Shaibu took to social media to question the apparent slip and use it to defend his preferred way of addressing the President.

“How can a man spend three and a half years as President and still refer to himself as a governor? Now you see why we prefer to call him Bola,” Shaibu wrote.

His comments added another layer to the ongoing political exchanges between supporters of Tinubu and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The use of Tinubu’s first name has previously attracted criticism from officials of the Presidency, who argue that addressing a sitting President by his first name can be disrespectful to the office.

In September, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, criticised Atiku for repeatedly referring to Tinubu as “Bola” during comments on the administration’s economic policies.

Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has continued to criticise the Tinubu administration over economic challenges and the cost of living.

Tinubu’s latest verbal slip is likely to generate further political commentary, particularly as parties and their supporters position themselves ahead of the next presidential election.

However, the remark alone does not establish any broader conclusion about the President’s performance or intentions. The controversy centres on his choice of words at the campaign council event and Shaibu’s subsequent reaction.