Convention letter: PDP refutes Anyanwu’s forgery claim, demands probe

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed allegations of signature forgery raised by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and called on the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter.

The NWC insisted that Anyanwu personally signed the letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission announcing the party’s forthcoming national convention in November, in the presence of governors, NWC members, and other senior officials.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on behalf of the NWC, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintained that Anyanwu signed several official letters, including the one notifying INEC of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“People can have alternative propaganda and twist stories, but there is no alternative to facts,” Ologunagba said. “Interestingly, the alleged forgery has been reported to security agencies, namely the DSS and the police. We expect a proper investigation because forgery is a serious crime, and anyone behind falsehoods should have their day with the law.”

He recalled that during the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting, Anyanwu was present—listed as number four on the attendance register—while INEC was also fully represented.

The NEC, he said, approved the timetable for the 2025 Elective National Convention, slated for November 15–16, and directed both the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Anyanwu, to formally notify INEC in line with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

According to Ologunagba, NEC had earlier approved the composition of the National Convention Organising Committee and the Zoning Committee at its July 24 meeting. The letters, he said, were duly signed on August 25, hours before the 102nd NEC meeting.

e added that the signing took place in the presence of key figures, including Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), as well as former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Minister Tanimu Turaki.

Ologunagba said,“At that meeting, four letters were signed by Senator Anyanwu and the Chairman in the presence of these leaders—one of which was the INEC notification letter for the convention. Others included letters on the composition of the Convention Committee and notices of repeat congresses in Anambra, Ebonyi, and the South-East.”

He described Anyanwu’s forgery claim as a deliberate attempt to derail the convention, insisting that the Secretary later acted on those same letters in his capacity as Subcommittee Secretary for Contact and Mobilization of the Convention Committee.

“He even issued letters to members of his subcommittee—one to his personal aide, Hon. Arthur—which were duly acknowledged. So, at what point, 50 days later, did these letters become forged documents?” he queried.

There are legal consequences for deliberately misleading security agencies into a wild goose chase. But we welcome the investigation and are confident the truth will prevail.”

The controversy adds to mounting tension within the PDP as it prepares for its November convention.

Despite the party’s resolution to host the event in Ibadan, discontent persists among loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are dissatisfied with the leadership of acting National Chairman, Damagum.