The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being bitter over President Bola Tinubu’s political success.

Keyamo made the remarks in a post on his official X handle on Friday, following Atiku’s criticism of the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol price discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had earlier announced that the Federal Government was offering a petrol discount on products dispensed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, for 30 days.

Reacting to Atiku’s criticism, Keyamo claimed that the former vice president was unhappy that Tinubu secured the presidency on his first attempt, while Atiku had pursued the position since 1993.

Keyamo noted that both politicians had spent decades in public service, recalling that Atiku was vice president when Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State.

According to the minister, Atiku had occupied a higher position in the political hierarchy at the time, but Tinubu eventually became president.

Keyamo further suggested that Atiku’s associates should encourage him to seek mental health support rather than support his public criticisms of the president.

“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 struggling to accept what he described as Tinubu’s political victory over him, warning that the former vice president could lose more supporters as he approached what he called political oblivion.

Keyamo’s comments followed the latest exchange between the two political figures over the Federal Government’s petrol discount initiative.