The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worsened as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged forgery of his signature. The development poses a new threat to the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November.
In petitions dated October 15 and submitted to the agencies on October 16, obtained by PUNCH Online, Anyanwu stated that he did not sign the August 29 letter to INEC concerning the upcoming November 15–16 National Convention.
Despite the party’s decision to hold its convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, internal tensions persist, particularly among allies of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who are reportedly dissatisfied with the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. The disputes involve disagreements over the South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in several states, and the micro-zoning arrangement for the convention. The disagreements have already escalated into a court case seeking to halt the event.
In the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No: 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 violating the party’s constitution and internal electoral rules.
The defendants listed include INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and several senior party figures. During Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho, the case was adjourned to October 16 after a disagreement arose over who was authorised to represent the party.
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 then scheduled for October 20, with an order for all parties to exchange documents by October 17.
Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 National Working Committee members reaffirmed the removal of the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and appointed Uche (SAN) as his replacement, according to PUNCH Online.
In response, Ajibade maintained that he remains the party’s legitimate National Legal Adviser, stressing that only a national convention has the power to remove him.
In his petitions to the INEC, DSS, and IGP, Anyanwu denied authorising or signing the letter purportedly bearing his signature. He urged the security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the alleged forgery.
His petition titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature” reads in part:
> “My attention has been drawn to the official letter to INEC 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 it.
I therefore request that this criminal act by officers of the PDP and their collaborators within INEC be thoroughly investigated, and the culprits prosecuted.”
Anyanwu also attached a copy of the alleged forged document to aid the investigation.
0 Comments