The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has dismissed reports that its structure has collapsed into the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), describing the claim as false and the handiwork of what it called political impostors.
The party made its position known yesterday at a press briefing held at its secretariat along the Maiduguri Bypass in Bauchi.
Addressing journalists, the Bauchi PDP Legal Adviser, Yahaya Garkuwa, said the party remained intact, stable and focused on the 2027 general elections.
Garkuwa maintained that the only legally recognised PDP structure in the state was the faction led by Hon. Ibrahim Kashim Toro, which, according to him, is aligned with the national leadership under Abdulrahman Mohammed.
He said the protracted leadership dispute within the party had been settled by the courts.
According to him, a Federal High Court judgment initially validated the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led national caretaker committee before the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal following a challenge by a rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki.
Garkuwa further claimed that the matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of his faction.
“The apex court declared that the Tanimu Turaki faction is not recognised by law, cementing the legitimacy of the Mohammed-led national executive and the Ibrahim-led leadership in Bauchi State,” he said.
The legal adviser alleged that members of the rival faction had resorted to misinformation after exhausting available legal avenues.
He accused them of allegedly impersonating PDP officials and creating confusion by claiming that the Bauchi PDP had merged with the APM.
Garkuwa reassured PDP members and the general public that the party’s recognised leadership and members had not defected to another political platform.
He also pointed to the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections as evidence of the legitimacy of his faction.
He challenged the rival group to produce its own list of candidates officially recognised by INEC.
“The Bauchi PDP is currently finalising plans to initiate legal proceedings against individuals who continue to falsely parade themselves as party executives,” he said.
The party leadership urged its members to disregard what it described as rumours of a merger with the APM and remain focused on preparations for the 2027 elections.
The press briefing was attended by the state party chairman, executive members, political stakeholders and scores of supporters.
