The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of suffering from what he described as “agitated depression” over claims that President Bola Tinubu adopted his proposal for a targeted subsidy on locally refined petrol.

Keyamo alleged that Atiku is bitter about Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, claiming that the former vice-president is struggling to come to terms with the President’s political success.

The minister made the allegations in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday.

Describing Atiku as a “pained and very bitter fellow,” Keyamo claimed that the former presidential candidate’s criticism of the President is driven by disappointment over his inability to realise his long-standing presidential ambition.

“It is now very obvious that Atiku Abubakar is a pained and very bitter fellow,” Keyamo said.

“The pain and bitterness stem from the fact that he feels President Bola Tinubu finally outsmarted him politically to get the most coveted position of president, and he can’t mentally deal with this fact.”

“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,” he added.

Recounting the political journeys of both leaders, Keyamo noted that Tinubu was the governor of Lagos State while Atiku served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He stated that the two politicians have pursued the presidency since leaving office in 2007, sometimes working together and at other times taking opposing political positions.

According to him, Tinubu eventually secured the presidency on his first attempt, whereas Atiku has pursued the ambition for decades.

Keyamo attributed Tinubu’s victory to a combination of fate, luck, divine intervention, and political dexterity.

The minister urged Atiku’s associates to offer him support rather than encourage his criticism of the President.

“We should all pity Atiku Abubakar rather than goad him on,” Keyamo said. “Those close to him should actually administer anti-depressants on him.”

Keyamo further argued that Atiku’s recent political posture could cost him supporters, adding that the former vice-president needs mental health support.

He concluded that Atiku is gradually fading into political oblivion.