Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by deliberately avoiding Governor Ademola Adeleke during a recent visit to Osun State, signaling a growing political fracture ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, who advocates for a broad coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declined to meet with Adeleke or the Osun PDP leadership during his trip to attend the coronation of the new Owa of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, on Friday. Instead, he paid a courtesy call to former Osun governor and APC stalwart Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Sources within the PDP disclosed that Atiku’s actions have deepened the rift between him and PDP governors who reject coalition talks, insisting the party can win the 2027 polls independently.

A reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki was established to heal party divisions, but Atiku’s visit appears to circumvent these efforts.

“He has drawn the battle line. Our governors are not with him on this coalition plan, and he’s sending a clear message,” a PDP official at the national secretariat said.

Atiku’s cold reception in Osun is partly attributed to Governor Adeleke’s lukewarm support for the coalition and skepticism about his backing of Atiku’s presidential ambition.

A senior government source added, “He didn’t inform the state government of his visit, nor did he meet the party chairman or state executives. Instead, he aligned with Aregbesola. The message is loud and clear.”

Political analysts note that while Aregbesola’s influence in Osun is waning, Governor Adeleke remains popular, suggesting Atiku may have miscalculated by distancing himself from the incumbent governor in favor of a former governor with diminishing grassroots support.