Keyamo Claims Atiku Needs Mental Health Support Over Tinubu Rivalry

By Adebola Muili

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has claimed that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar needs mental health support, attributing his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu to alleged bitterness over his failure to attain the presidency.

Keyamo made the claim in a statement posted on Saturday, October 10, in which he described Atiku’s recent political utterances as a manifestation of what he termed “agitated depression”.

The minister alleged that Atiku was struggling to come to terms with Tinubu’s emergence as president, arguing that the outcome of their longstanding political rivalry had left the former vice-president disappointed.

He, however, provided no medical evidence to substantiate his characterisation of Atiku’s mental health.

Keyamo recalled that Tinubu was governor of Lagos State while Atiku served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that both politicians had pursued presidential ambitions over the years.

According to him, their political relationship had alternated between cooperation and rivalry as they sought to attain the country’s highest political office.

He argued that Tinubu’s eventual emergence as president at his first attempt, in contrast to Atiku’s repeated presidential bids, was central to what he described as the former vice-president’s frustration.

The minister urged Atiku to accept the outcome of the political contest, invoking the Bible to argue that success depends not only on ambition or ability but also on timing and circumstance.

Quoting Ecclesiastes 9:11, Keyamo said: “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong … but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

He further urged people close to Atiku to encourage him to seek appropriate support, while warning that his recent political posture could cost him supporters rather than strengthen his opposition credentials.

Keyamo also predicted that Atiku would eventually fade into political oblivion, arguing that his recent criticisms of the president could undermine his political standing.

The minister’s remarks placed the political rivalry between the two prominent figures at the centre of his criticism of Atiku, although his description of the former vice-president’s mental health remained an allegation rather than a medically established finding.