By Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
ABUJA — The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, SAN, has launched a blistering attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, attributing his recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to political bitterness and a psychological condition he described as “agitated depression”.
Keyamo, who stated this in a statement issued via his verified official X (formerly Twitter) handle, urged associates close to the former presidential candidate of the opposition party to administer antidepressants and provide him with urgent mental health support as he slides into political oblivion.
The verbal altercation between both political heavyweights follows Atiku’s persistent criticism of President Tinubu’s economic policies and executive governance.
Keyamo argued that Atiku’s constant public outbursts—which the opposition frames as patriotic oversight—are actually fueled by deep-seated resentment. According to the Minister, Atiku has failed to come to terms with the reality that President Tinubu outmaneuvered him to secure the nation’s highest office.
”It is now very obvious that Atiku Abubakar is a pained and very bitter fellow. The pain and bitterness stems from the fact that he feels President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finally outsmarted him politically to get the most coveted position of President, and he can’t mentally deal with this fact,” Keyamo said.
He added, “What we are witnessing with all his recent tantrums against Mr. President, veiled as opposition heroics, is actually a higher form of depression in the field of mental health called agitated depression”.
Putting the rivalry into historical perspective, Keyamo recalled that during President Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007), Atiku served as Vice President of Nigeria and was widely regarded as higher in the political hierarchy.
Both men subsequently pursued their political ambitions along intersecting paths, collaborating at times—such as during the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013—and operating in opposition at other times.
However, Keyamo pointed out that while Atiku’s quest for the presidency has spanned decades since his initial bid in 1993, President Tinubu secured the presidency at his first attempt on the presidential ballot.
”Through a combination of fate, luck, divine interventions, and political dexterity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finally clinched the Presidency at the first try as against his (Atiku’s) never-ending ambition since 1993. Here lies his pain, anger, despair, and depression,” Keyamo declared.
The Minister reminded the former Vice President that political power is ultimately determined by divine providence rather than individual ambition or calculation.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 9:11, Keyamo noted: “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all”.
He stressed that despite Atiku’s hostility toward the administration, leadership remains a gift from God Almighty.
”We should all pity Atiku Abubakar rather than goad him on,” Keyamo remarked.
“Those close to him should actually administer anti-depressants on him. Rather than win supporters, he will lose most intelligent ones by his recent posturing. Atiku Abubakar urgently needs mental health support at this critical time as he finally peters out into political oblivion”.
Neither Atiku Abubakar nor his official media team has issued a response to the Minister’s comments at the time of reporting.
1. The Long-Standing Atiku-Tinubu Relationship
Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu share a complex political relationship spanning over two decades. In 2007, when Atiku fell out with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Tinubu offered him the presidential platform of the Action Congress (AC). In 2013–2014, both leaders were instrumental in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, Atiku returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2017 to pursue his presidential bid, setting up a direct confrontation with Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
2. Context of the Latest Exchange
The recent flurry of statements comes amid heightened political posturing ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Opposition figures, led by Atiku, have consistently scrutinized the current administration’s macroeconomic reforms—including subsidy removals and foreign exchange unification—while APC government spokespersons and ministers have vigorously defended the President’s policy direction.