PDP convention faces fresh setback over alleged signature forgery

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has taken a new twist as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has alleged the forgery of his signature in a letter notifying the National Electoral Commission of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Anyanwu, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the allegation in petitions he sent to INEC,  the Department of State Services and  the Inspector General of Police.

In petitions dated October 15, which was sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, Anyanwu stated that he never signed the August 29 letter to INEC, notifying the electoral body of the party’s November 15–16 National Convention.

His letter, addressed to the acting Chairman of INEC was titled “RE: Peoples Democratic Party  Year 2025 Elective National Convention: Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature.”

Anyanwu declared that the referenced correspondence was neither signed, approved, nor issued by him.

He wrote, “My attention has been drawn to the above titled official letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission  with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.1M/25-140 dated Monday, August 25, 2025, purportedly signed by me.

“Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on the letter.

I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted. Attached herewith is an excerpt of the forged document for ease of reference.”

In separate letters to the DSS Director-General and the Inspector General of Police, both titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” Anyanwu made similar demands for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those involved.

He wrote, “Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on the letter. I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted.”

The development adds to the growing tension within the PDP ahead of its November convention.

Despite the party’s decision to hold the national elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, discontent persists, especially among Wike’s allies, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Their grievances revolve around unresolved disputes over South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and other states, as well as disagreements on the micro-zoning formula for the upcoming convention.

The internal wrangling has now spilled into the courts. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Abraham Nnanna, along with the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of breaching the party’s constitution and internal election guidelines

The defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and several senior party members.

At Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was adjourned to October 16 following a dispute over who had the legal authority to represent the PDP.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both claimed to be the party’s counsel.

The judge directed them to present proof of authorisation before the substantive hearing, which was subsequently fixed for October 20, with all parties ordered to exchange court documents by October 17.

Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the National Working Committee reaffirmed the decision to remove the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and to appoint Uche (SAN) as his replacement.

In response, Ajibade maintained that he remains the party’s National Legal Adviser with the authority to represent the PDP, stressing that only a national convention has the constitutional power to remove him from office.

Anyanwu’s petitions to the security agencies and INEC have deepened uncertainty around the PDP’s scheduled convention, heightening fears that the opposition party’s internal disputes — now mired in allegations of forgery and legal battles — could derail preparations for the crucial national leadership transition.

culled from punch