Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appears to have declared political war on governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and party officials opposed to his bid to form a coalition with other political parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite Atiku’s push for an opposition coalition, which he argues is the only viable path to unseating the APC in 2027, the PDP leadership has firmly rejected the idea. The party insists it is strong enough to defeat the APC without any alliance, provided it can put its house in order. In this regard, the PDP recently constituted a reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Tensions came to a head on Friday when Atiku visited Osun State for the coronation of the new Owa of Ijesaland, HRH Adesuyi Haastrup, but pointedly shunned Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state PDP leadership. Instead of paying a courtesy visit to the governor, Atiku met with former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, a key figure in his coalition plans.
Sources within the PDP interpreted Atiku’s actions as a clear message of political hostility. “He has drawn the battle line because our governors are not with him on this coalition move,” a party source at the PDP national secretariat told our correspondent.
The cold shoulder extended to Adeleke reportedly left the governor and PDP leaders in Osun State shocked, with many interpreting it as Atiku’s attempt to sideline the party’s established structures in pursuit of his 2027 presidential ambition.
Political observers warn that Atiku’s gamble may backfire, especially in Osun State, where Adeleke remains highly popular, while Aregbesola’s influence is perceived to be on the decline. A senior state official described Atiku’s visit as a “deliberate slight,” adding: “It is a misstep. Aregbesola cannot win Osun for him in 2027.”
Inside sources revealed that Atiku’s cold attitude towards Adeleke stems from the governor’s refusal to back the coalition plans, as well as suspicions that Adeleke may lean towards President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The development comes against the backdrop of longstanding political tensions between Adeleke and Aregbesola, who have publicly sparred over their respective performances in office.
Despite the backlash, Atiku is forging ahead with his coalition plans. It was gathered that he and his allies—among them former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and Aregbesola—are set to meet in Abuja today to fine-tune their 2027 strategy. The group has reportedly settled on the Action Democratic Party (ADP) as the vehicle for their ambitions, after earlier considering the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Atiku’s camp is also banking on support from groups like the League of Northern Democrats (LND), which has vowed to mobilize across the North to back a new opposition front, either by registering a fresh party or merging into an existing one.
However, the PDP appears unmoved. At a recent meeting, its governors reiterated their rejection of any coalition for the 2027 election, insisting the party is capable of defeating the APC on its own. Governor Adeleke was present at that meeting.
As the political chess game heats up, all eyes are on how Atiku’s coalition gamble will unfold—and whether it will strengthen the opposition or fracture it further ahead of 2027.
