₦airaland Forum

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appears to have drawn the battle line with state governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , and officials of the party who are opposed to his bid to enter into coalition with other political parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite Atiku’s insistence on a coalition, believing it is the only way the APC can be defeated in 2027, the PDP has stoutly rejected the move.
The PDP says it is strong enough to wrest power from the APC and that all it needs to do is to put its house in order.

In this regard, it set up a reconciliation committee headed by a former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki.

On Friday, Atiku was in Osun State where he shunned the state governor ,Senator Ademola Adeleke and the state executives of the party.

Officials of the PDP yesterday interpreted the action of the ex – Vice President as a declaration of hostility.

“He has drawn the battle line because our governors are not with him in his move to forge a coalition and then run for president as usual,” a source in the PDP national secretariat told our correspondent yesterday.

The former vice president and his allies in the coalition talks are due to meet in Abuja today for more discussion on the way forward.
Top on the meeting’s agenda is the platform they intend to use for the 2027 election.

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who is widely speculated as Atiku’s possible running mate in 2027 said yesterday that he still looks forward to contesting the election on the platform of LP, which means he is unlikely to go along with the coalition.

Political sources said yesterday that Gov.Adeleke may have incurred Atiku’s wrath on account of his (governor’s) stand on the coalition being promoted for the former VP’s 2027 presidential bid.

Atiku had gone to the state for the coronation of the new Owa of Ijesaland, HRH Adesuyi Haastrup.

He also refused to meet with the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sunday Bisi and other members in the state.

Instead he paid a courtesy call on ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who is his new coalition ally.
According to findings, Atiku’s cold attitude shocked Adeleke and PDP members in the state.

It was gathered that the ex-VP was unimpressed by lack of a firm commitment to his 2027 ambition by the governor and as a result, decided to draw the battle line early in the day with him.

Political observers in the state believe Atiku might have miscalculated because apart from being a sitting governor, Adeleke’s popularity is at its peak in the state while Aregbesola’s influence is dwindling.

A senior government official, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “the ex-VP shocked the governor and PDP members by not notifying the state government of his visit. He did not pay a courtesy call on the governor and there was no notice to the state chapter of PDP of his coming.

“It is convenient for him to call his shuttle a private visit but as the former VP, he is under our care.

“It is a slight to shun the governor and visit Aregbesola in Ilesha. The message is clear to all. He has something up his sleeves.”

Asked what might have accounted for Atiku’s attitude, the source said: “Maybe he is acting on body language or intuition to reach conclusions on Governor Adeleke who is amiable and amenable. I think for an experienced politician like Atiku, it is too early to arrive at any conclusion. He has a presumption that the governor has a mindset for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

“The second reason which is definitive is that Atiku is desperate for a new coalition and he knows that Governor Adeleke might not leave the PDP. Not coming to the governor was a message that he was done with the PDP.

“But Aregbesola cannot win Osun State for him in 2027. We wish Atiku good luck. His attitude has earned him more disdain than anything in Osun. It was a misstep.”

Atiku’s behaviour toward Adeleke was the subject of political discussion in many parts of the state all through Friday and yesterday.

Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe was yet to respond to questions sent to his WhatsApp line.
A PDP source said he wasn’t surprised that there is a political misunderstanding between the President and Governor Adeleke.

The source added: “As a matter of fact, when Sen. Isiaka Adeleke died, President Tinubu wanted Governor Ademola Adeleke to succeed his brother but Aregbesola refused. Adeleke was denied the ticket because of his closeness to the then President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki. He left APC for PDP and won the senatorial ticket.

“When the President asked why Governor Ademola Adeleke was refused APC senatorial ticket, the powers- that- be in Osun then said he might contest for the governorship. Asiwaju then asked ‘why not?’ Everything has come to pass, ” he said.

Unknown to many, a cold war has been brewing between Adeleke and Aregbesola over their performances in office.

In the last few weeks, Adeleke and Aregbesola have taunted each other at public functions in what appeared a sign of frosty relationship.

At a Rotary District Conference in Ede, Osun State, Aregbesola, who was the guest speaker, spent quality time to reel out his achievements. He spoke of how he transformed Osun State.

But Adeleke, who came midway into Aregbesola’s lecture was ‘unsettled ‘ by what his predecessor said.

When it was his turn, Adeleke, who took style to say he was building on Aregbesola’s achievements, said the era of half salary was gone; he has not borrowed a dime; the Debt Management Office (DMO) has confirmed that the state has cleared 40% of inherited debt since he came into office.

He also said that he has completed a 14-kilometre dual carriageway in Ilesha and established University of Ilesha with 70 courses accredited.

“It is a matter of time before we end the alliance with Aregbesola, ” a PDP source added.

At a meeting last month , PDP governors ruled out coalition with other parties for the 2027 presidential election.


The governors said the PDP was strong enough to oust the APC from power but welcomed any party that may want to join it. Adeleke was at the meeting.


Atiku is nonetheless forging ahead with his bid to enter into coalition with interested parties.

Last week, he and his coalition partners announced that they would use the ADP, instead of the SDP they had earlier announced, as the vehicle to realise their 2027 dream.

Atiku, others push ahead with coalition despite PDP’s stance. It was gathered yesterday that members of the Atiku-led coalition will meet in Abuja today to perfect their plan ahead of 2027.

Some of those expected at the meeting are the immediate past governor of Kaduna State,Mallam Nasir El Rufai,former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and former Osun State governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

It was gathered that the group is banking on the support of the likes of the League of Northern Democrats (LND) which said last week that it was mobilising intensely across the north while considering the options of registering a new opposition political party or fusing into an existing one.

It said in a communiqué that it would support the National Opposition Coalition Group chaired by Sen. President David Mark in “driving the transitional politics towards the 2027 general elections.”

richiemcgold:
Coalition of confusion

forerunner022:
Atiku is the most greedy politician on earth. If things doesn't go his way, he tends to pull down and tear and that's Wike carpeted him clean and clear.

Obiedun:
Atiku is not fighting for Nigeria but he is fighting for himself.

Obiedun:
Atiku is not fighting for Nigeria but he is fighting for himself.

omowolewa:
He got it wrong

zero8zero:
Atiku keeps making same mistakes over and over again, failure no dey tire am. He has appointed himself, David Mark, Ameachi, Obi, Elrufai and Aregbesola as coalition head in each geopolitical zone. Check them out, every one of them is a loser. It seems Tinubu is a child of grace because his enemies keep handing the victory to him on a platter of gold.

madridguy:
Alhaji Atiku should call the game over. In this life, everyone is looking for where to butter their bread. The governors are eating fat under Tinubu so don't expect them to leave him and join your coalition of retired politicians.

Gov. Adeleke of Osun is hustling for his reelection in 2026 so don't expect him in your camp. Most of them get more fund and they are not even borrowing like B4