PDP Speaks Out As Merger Rumour With APM Sparks Fresh Political Drama

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has dismissed reports suggesting that its party structure has been merged with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the PDP State Legal Adviser, Yahaya Garkuwa, described the alleged merger as false during a press conference held in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Garkuwa maintained that the PDP remained intact in the state, while accusing members of a rival faction of impersonating party officials and deliberately circulating misleading information capable of creating confusion among party members and the general public.

He stated that the PDP structure recognised by his faction in Bauchi was led by Ibrahim Kashim Toro, while Abdulrahman Mohammed remained the national leader recognised by the faction.

The legal adviser also disclosed that the internal crisis within the PDP had resulted in legal battles at various levels of the judiciary.

According to Garkuwa, the Federal High Court had previously recognised the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker leadership at the national level. He added that the decision was challenged by the Tanimu Turaki faction at the Court of Appeal, but the appellate court upheld the leadership under Mohammed at the national level and Ibrahim Kashim Toro in Bauchi State.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State election, Oluwole Oluyede, has withdrawn his petition challenging the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Following the withdrawal application filed by Oluyede and the PDP, the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal struck out the case at its inaugural sitting in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

Oluyede explained after the proceedings that his decision was influenced by appeals from President Bola Tinubu and other individuals he considers important to him. He also expressed his willingness to support efforts aimed at securing Tinubu’s victory in the forthcoming presidential election, while maintaining that he remains a member of the PDP.

Oluyede had filed the petition after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji the winner of the governorship election. However, before the substantive hearing began, the PDP candidate sought to discontinue the legal challenge.

His counsel, Paul Komolafe, who also represented the PDP, presented the withdrawal application before the three-member tribunal panel. Lawyers representing Oyebanji, the APC and INEC did not oppose the request.

The tribunal subsequently struck out the petition.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Oluyede said he believed withdrawing the case would enable political leaders and other stakeholders to focus their attention on the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.