…Alake Says Tinubu’s Achievements, Party Programmes Will Define Campaign for Second-Term Mandate
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has declared that its campaign spokespersons and party members will not emulate what it described as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s disregard for presidential protocol, insisting that its campaign will focus on governance, achievements and programmes capable of moving Nigeria towards prosperity.
The Council said it expected Alhaji Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a former Vice President of Nigeria, to demonstrate greater decorum, decency and respect for constituted authority, particularly in his public engagements with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The position was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja recently by Dele Alake, Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Reacting to the public controversy surrounding Atiku’s decision to address President Tinubu by his first name, “Bola,” the Council described the action as an act of disrespect towards the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the Council, the conduct was unbecoming of a former Vice President and an aspirant to the nation’s highest political office, arguing that such a position demands a high standard of statesmanship, decorum and regard for established institutions.
The APC campaign body further alleged that political animosity and ambition had affected Atiku’s public conduct and utterances since his defeat in the last presidential election, expressing concern that his approach could set a poor example for younger politicians.
Despite its criticism of the ADC presidential candidate, the Council said it had urged APC leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue according Atiku the courtesies and respect befitting his status as a former Vice President and presidential candidate.
It maintained that the APC, which it described as a party founded on progressive ideals and African traditional values, would not adopt what it considered an inappropriate approach to political engagement.
The Council stressed that its campaign would instead concentrate on issues of national importance, including presenting the party’s programmes, highlighting President Tinubu’s achievements in office and explaining how his administration intends to translate ongoing reforms into greater prosperity for Nigerians.
It said the focus would be on making the administration’s record and policy direction central to the President’s bid for a second term in office.
The statement emphasized the Council’s position that political competition should be conducted with due regard for established institutions and traditional values, while keeping national development and the welfare of Nigerians at the centre of the campaign.
