PDP crisis deepens as Anyanwu petitions DSS over alleged forgery by party’s officials

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has raised alarm over an alleged forgery of his signature.

Anyanwu has formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding a probe into the incident which he said could jeopardize the party’s planned national convention slated for November.

According to petitions dated October 15 and submitted to the agencies a day later, Anyanwu denied signing the August 29 letter sent to INEC concerning the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.

Despite the party’s decision to hold its elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, tensions remain high within the PDP. Loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have continued to challenge the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, over issues including the South-South zonal leadership tussle, control of structures in several states, and disagreements over the micro-zoning arrangement for the convention.

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These grievances have 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 violating the party’s constitution and internal electoral rules.

The case, presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was adjourned to October 16 after a disagreement arose over who had the authority to represent the party. Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both claimed to be the PDP’s legal representative. The judge directed them to submit proof of authorisation before the next hearing, now scheduled for October 20, with all parties instructed 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 insisted he remains the legitimate National Legal Adviser empowered to represent the PDP, stressing that only a national convention could remove him from office.

In his petition, Anyanwu maintained that he did not authorise the contentious letter to INEC and urged the security agencies to investigate.

His letter to INEC, titled “RE: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Year 2025 Elective National Convention: Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” read in part:

“My attention has been drawn to the above-titled official letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (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/cloned version of my signature on the letter.

I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted.

Attached herewith is an excerpt of the forged document for ease of reference.”

He sent similar petitions to the DSS and the Inspector General of Police, repeating his call for an investigation and prosecution of those involved.

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

“I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted,” Anyanwu stated in the letters.

The alleged forgery has added a fresh layer of controversy to the PDP’s already strained internal affairs ahead of its much-anticipated November convention.