By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of bitterness over President Bola Tinubu’s emergence as president, urging those close to the former presidential candidate to ensure he receives the support he needs.
Keyamo made the remarks in a post on his official X account, attributing Atiku’s criticism of Tinubu to frustration over his repeated failure to realise his presidential ambition.
“It is now very obvious that Atiku Abubakar @atiku is a pained and very bitter fellow,” Keyamo wrote.
The minister alleged that Atiku was struggling to come to terms with Tinubu’s emergence as president, describing the former vice-president’s recent criticism of the president as “a higher form of DEPRESSION in the field of mental health called AGITATED DEPRESSION.”
Keyamo recalled the political careers of both men, noting that Tinubu was governor of Lagos State while Atiku served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said both politicians had pursued presidential ambitions since leaving their respective offices in 2007, adding that Tinubu eventually won the presidency on his first attempt.
Keyamo attributed Tinubu’s victory to a combination of political calculations, fortune and divine intervention, contrasting it with Atiku’s repeated attempts to become president.
He also cited the Bible to argue that political power does not necessarily go to the most experienced or politically connected contender.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 9:11, he wrote: “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.”
The minister further argued that Atiku’s recent political posture could alienate potential supporters rather than strengthen his position in the opposition.
“We should all pity Atiku Abubakar rather than goad him on,” Keyamo wrote, urging those close to the former vice-president to ensure he receives the support he needs.
“Rather than win supporters, he will lose most intelligent ones by his recent posturing,” he added.
Keyamo concluded by calling for mental health support for Atiku and claiming that the former vice-president was approaching political oblivion.
The exchange comes amid continuing political confrontations between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.