The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has said its spokespersons and members will not follow what it described as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s route of disrespecting protocol and the office of the President.
The council, in a statement by its spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals , Dele Alake, said it had followed the public reactions to Atiku’s decision to address President Bola Tinubu on a first-name basis as ‘Bola’, noting that a higher standard of decorum and deference is expected from a former Vice President and a presidential aspirant.
It said Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has allowed political animosity and ambition to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his conduct since losing the last presidential election.
According to the statement, Atiku chose to set a bad example for younger politicians rather than demonstrate decency in political behaviour by disrespecting the very office he seeks to occupy.
The APC Campaign Council, however, said it has implored all party leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue to accord Atiku all the respect and courtesies due to him as a former Vice President and presidential candidate.
It stressed that as a party grounded in progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect, its campaign will focus on issues important to Nigerians, including the party’s programmes and President Tinubu’s achievements in moving the country from reforms to prosperity as he seeks a second term.
