‘Tinubu Outsmarted You Politically’ – Keyamo Mocks Atiku

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of displaying signs of what he described as “agitated depression” amid his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s policies.

In a post on his official X account on Friday, Keyamo claimed that Atiku was bitter over what he described as Tinubu’s political triumph, arguing that the President had outmanoeuvred the former vice president in the race for the country’s highest political office.

The minister’s comments followed Atiku’s criticism of the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol price discount initiative.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had announced that the Federal Government would offer a temporary discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for 30 days.

Reacting to Atiku’s position, Keyamo argued that the former vice president was frustrated by Tinubu’s eventual emergence as president, despite Atiku’s decades-long pursuit of the office.

He noted that both politicians had spent several decades in public service and partisan politics. According to Keyamo, Atiku held a higher political position when Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State, with Atiku occupying the office of vice president at the time.

However, the minister maintained that Tinubu eventually secured the presidency, a development he suggested had become a source of bitterness for Atiku.

Keyamo also urged Atiku’s associates to encourage him to seek mental health support rather than support what he characterised as repeated political outbursts. He warned that the former vice president’s approach could alienate some of his remaining supporters.

“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,” Keyamo said.

He added that Atiku was a “pained and very bitter fellow,” attributing the alleged bitterness to his belief that Tinubu had outmanoeuvred him politically to become president.

Keyamo’s remarks add to the ongoing political exchanges between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures, as political tensions continue over government policies and the country’s political future.

His description of Atiku’s mental state represents Keyamo’s personal characterisation and should not be taken as a medical diagnosis.