PDP crisis deepens as Anyanwu petitions DSS, Police, INEC over alleged forgery
The crisis within 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. The development further complicates preparations for the party’s planned national convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In separate petitions dated October 15 and received by the three agencies on October 16, Anyanwu denied authorising or signing a letter dated August 29, 2025, purportedly sent to INEC concerning arrangements for the convention. He described the document as forged and urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute those behind the act, Punch reported.
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In his letter to INEC titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” Anyanwu wrote: “My attention has been drawn to a letter with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol. 1M/25-140, purportedly signed by me. Regrettably, the letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on such a sensitive document.”
He called on the IGP and DSS to identify and prosecute the “officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC” allegedly involved in the forgery.
The petitions, obtained by PUNCH Online, come amid deepening internal wrangling over control of the party’s structures and the zoning of key offices ahead of the national convention. The controversy has already split the National Working Committee (NWC) and led to a flurry of court actions.
Tensions have been high within the PDP as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continue to clash with the camp of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. The disagreements centre on leadership tussles in the South-South zone, control of party organs in states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, and the micro-zoning formula for upcoming elections.
Adding to the turmoil, three party officials Austin Nwachukwu (Imo), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia), and Turnah Alabah George (South-South Zonal Secretary) have filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to halt the convention. In the case numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, they accuse the Damagum-led NWC of violating the party’s constitution and internal guidelines.
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At the court’s sitting before Justice James Omotosho, proceedings were stalled by a dispute over who is legally authorised 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 submit evidence of their authorisation before the substantive hearing, which was adjourned to October 20.
In a related twist, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the NWC reaffirmed the decision to remove the party’s National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and appointed Chief Uche (SAN) as his replacement. However, Ajibade insisted he remains the legitimate Legal Adviser, stressing that only a national convention can remove him.
With the latest allegations of forgery, police and security investigations could further delay or derail the PDP’s convention plans, widening existing divisions within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
