Forgery Scandal Deepens PDP Crisis As National Secretary Petitions DSS, IGP, INEC
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn 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.
Anyanwu, in separate petitions dated October 15 and submitted to the three institutions on October 16, alleged that a letter purportedly written and signed by him to INEC regarding the party’s planned National Convention was forged.
The letter in question, dated August 29, 2025, reportedly informed INEC of the PDP’s elective National Convention scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Anyanwu, however, maintained that he neither signed nor authorised the correspondence.
“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,” the petition read in part. “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 DSS, the IGP, and INEC to investigate the alleged criminal conduct, prosecute the perpetrators, and bring to justice those involved in the forgery. Attached to the petition was a copy of the disputed letter for verification.
The forgery allegation has further deepened divisions within the PDP, already beset by internal wrangling ahead of its planned national convention. Factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have reportedly been at odds with the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, over the control of party structures and zoning arrangements.
Meanwhile, the party is also entangled in a legal battle over the same convention.
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 election guidelines.
At Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, proceedings were adjourned to October 16 following a disagreement over which counsel was authorised to represent the PDP.
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria; Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche both claimed to be the party’s legal representatives, further compounding the confusion.
In a separate development, 14 members of the National Working Committee have reaffirmed the removal of the party’s National Legal Adviser, appointing Chief Chris Uche (SAN) as his replacement; a move contested by Ajibade, who insists that only a national convention can remove him from office.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
