The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing another internal crisis ahead of its national convention, following allegations of signature forgery made by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Anyanwu, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police, claiming his signature was forged in a letter notifying INEC of the convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In the petitions dated October 15 and seen by our correspondent on Sunday, Anyanwu denied signing the August 29 letter sent to INEC regarding the planned convention. The correspondence, addressed to INEC’s Acting Chairman, was titled “RE: Peoples Democratic Party Year 2025 Elective National Convention: Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature.”
Anyanwu wrote, “My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.1M/25-140 dated 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.”
He urged the authorities to launch a thorough investigation and prosecute those responsible, alleging collusion between some PDP officers and INEC staff.
In separate letters to the DSS Director-General and the Inspector General of Police, Anyanwu repeated his demand for an investigation into what he described as a “criminal act” within the party.
The forgery allegation adds another layer of turmoil to the PDP’s internal conflict as the opposition party prepares for its November convention. Despite confirming Ibadan as the venue, divisions persist among members, particularly Wike’s loyalists, who are dissatisfied with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s leadership.
Their grievances reportedly include disputes over the South-South zonal structure, control of party organs in states such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, and disagreements over micro-zoning arrangements for national offices.
The party’s troubles have also moved to 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 South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of violating the party’s constitution and election guidelines.
The case, filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, lists INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and other senior party members as defendants. Proceedings were adjourned to October 16 after two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both claimed to represent the PDP. The court ordered them to present proof of authorisation before the substantive hearing fixed for October 20.
Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the National Working Committee reaffirmed the removal of the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and named Uche (SAN) as his replacement. Ajibade, however, rejected the decision, insisting he remains the legitimate Legal Adviser until removed by a national convention.
With multiple petitions, court disputes, and accusations of forgery, uncertainty now clouds the PDP’s readiness for its elective convention. The ongoing leadership tussles threaten to derail preparations for what is expected to be a pivotal gathering for the opposition party’s future.
