Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has told the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar that frustration over his political ambition has led to depression, warning that losing the next presidential election could trigger a mental breakdown.
Fani-Kayode made the remarks in a statement dated 12 October 2026, titled To Waziri Atiku Abubakar: A Final Word for a Diminishing Star (Part 2). He also questioned Atiku’s judgement, credibility and past political relationships.
The former Minister of Aviation said he feared for Atiku’s mental well-being if he lost the election. He called on the former vice-president’s family and loved ones to take the matter seriously.
“My fear for you is when you lose the election that you will not suffer a mental breakdown. Your family and loved ones must take this seriously,” Fani-Kayode wrote.
Fani-Kayode cites Obasanjo’s criticism
The former minister supported his criticism of Atiku with comments attributed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a television interview on 3 October 2018.
Obasanjo had questioned Atiku’s judgement and ability to lead the country, saying he complained too much and failed to understand what it took to become president.
“Atiku Abubakar does not have the right sense of judgment and on a number of occasions I pointed this out to him. He complained too much and wasn’t able to understand or learn what it takes to be a President so I gave up,” Obasanjo said.
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Fani-Kayode also referred to an account shared by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke in August 2026. Duke had drawn from Seun Oloketuyi’s book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, to recount an informal meeting involving Obasanjo, former military leaders Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Atiku.
The meeting reportedly took place amid strained relations ahead of Obasanjo’s 2003 re-election campaign.
Duke said Atiku’s actions raised questions about his loyalty, prompting Obasanjo to complain of betrayal. Babangida allegedly warned Obasanjo against trusting his deputy and later declared, “this one cannot rule Nigeria.”
Fani-Kayode said Babangida’s reported assessment was correct, provided Duke’s account was accurate.
He also rejected claims that Obasanjo endorsed Atiku’s presidential ambition during a meeting in Abeokuta on 11 October 2018, after Atiku won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the meeting was mainly an attempt at forgiveness and reconciliation, not an unequivocal endorsement of Atiku’s candidacy.
He cited comments by the late Obadiah Mailafia, who had described the meeting as a reconciliation exercise brokered by Christian and Muslim clerics.
Former minister defends his credibility
Fani-Kayode’s criticism extended to Atiku’s record of political relationships, which he characterised as a series of betrayals involving former presidents, party leaders and political allies.
He accused Atiku of abandoning political associates, including Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
He also accused Atiku of contributing to divisions within the PDP after seeking its presidential ticket in 2023, despite disagreements over the party’s zoning arrangement.
On the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fani-Kayode alleged that Atiku took control of the party from Nafiu Bala Gombe and contributed to the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The former minister also defended his own credibility after Atiku allegedly questioned it in private messages.
Fani-Kayode said he faced four criminal cases over 18 years and appeared before 12 judges, including at the Court of Appeal. He maintained that he won every case.
He said he was detained for a total of six months and ten days in 2008 and 2016, including periods in Kuje prison, where he alleged he was held among Boko Haram prisoners to silence him.
He further alleged that security personnel harassed two of his wives and two of his children during the period.
Fani-Kayode said he had vowed in 2008 not to leave Nigeria until he had been cleared of all criminal charges. He said he kept that promise until 4 February 2025, when he won his final case.
He also claimed that he attended nearly every court sitting during the 18-year period, missing only five hearings.
In spite of the criticism, Fani-Kayode ended his message by saying he would continue to pray for Atiku.
“I shall still not call you Kachalla,” he wrote, before describing his final message as one motivated by love and concern for the former vice-president.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
Fani-Kayode’s statement comments about frustration, depression and the possibility of a mental breakdown are his personal assessment of Atiku.
Fani-Kayode said his final criminal case ended on 4 February 2025 and maintained that he had been cleared in all four cases.
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