Atiku's aide suggests calling Tinubu 'Amoda' amid name controversy
Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, reacted sarcastically on X after critics objected to his reference to President Bola Tinubu as merely 'Bola'. In a post on Wednesday, Ibe said he apologised for using the name, adding that he should perhaps have called the president 'Amoda', a name he said has long been associated with Tinubu. He noted that the controversies surrounding Tinubu’s name, background, certificates, records and documents have made addressing the president appear to require extra explanation. 'So, "correction" duly noted: "Bola" was apparently too familiar. "Amoda" is disputed. Tinubu it is — pending further documentation,' he wrote. The exchange comes amid renewed political clashes between Tinubu supporters and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election, with Tinubu’s educational records repeatedly contested. Such personalised attacks shift focus from policy debates to identity politics, potentially influencing voter perceptions and deepening partisan divides. As the campaign season heats up, citizens may want to scrutinise whether discussions centre on governance plans or resort to name‑calling, and consider demanding substantive policy conversations from all sides.