Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has launched a fresh attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of allowing disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s emergence to shape his recent political criticisms.
Keyamo made the remarks in a statement shared on Saturday, October 10, through the X account of presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, where he challenged Atiku’s continued criticism of the president.
The minister argued that Atiku had yet to come to terms with losing the presidential contest to Tinubu, suggesting that his recent comments were driven more by personal frustration than constructive opposition.
In particularly harsh language, Keyamo described Atiku’s political reactions as a form of “agitated depression.” However, he provided no medical evidence to substantiate his characterisation of the former vice-president’s mental health.
Reflecting on their political careers, Keyamo recalled that Atiku served as Nigeria’s vice-president while Tinubu governed Lagos State. He noted that both men pursued presidential ambitions after leaving their respective offices in 2007, with their political interests sometimes aligning and at other times diverging.
According to the minister, Tinubu’s eventual victory marked a significant contrast with Atiku’s repeated attempts to secure the nation’s highest political office.
Keyamo also invoked biblical teachings to defend Tinubu’s emergence as president, arguing that political authority ultimately rests with God rather than human calculations. He cited Ecclesiastes 9:11 in support of his position.
The minister further called on people close to Atiku to encourage him to seek support, while maintaining that his current approach to opposition politics could alienate potential supporters instead of strengthening his political standing.
He concluded by predicting that Atiku could face declining political relevance if he continued along the same path.
The comments add another layer to the political exchanges between figures associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition, as attention increasingly turns towards the 2027 general election.
