•Sam Anyanwu
A forgery allegation raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, against the party leadership has deepened the crisis ravaging the main opposition party ahead of its November 15 convention in Ibadan.
The National Secretary claimed that a letter from the party on the proposed National Convention to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which bore his signature, was fake, reports The Nation.
In a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services and the INEC, Anyanwu alleged that his signature on the August 25, 2025, letter to the Commission on the convention was forged.
The convention is currently a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is divided.
No fewer than 14 members have signed a letter calling for the removal of the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.
Last week, Ajibade clashed in court with the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, in the presence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, over legal representation.
It was during the resumed hearing in a case instituted by four state chapter chairmen against the convention.
Although Damagum had briefed Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to appear for the party, Ajibade disagreed.
He said that, as the National Legal Adviser, assigning a lawyer to represent the party was his responsibility.
Controversy over forged letter
Anyanwu claimed that a letter from the party leadership, purportedly signed by Damagum and him, which was received by the INEC on August 29, should be investigated.
Party sources said former Senate President Bukola Saraki had led a delegation that pleaded with Anyanwu to sign the letter after the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
But Anyanwu, who denied signing the letter, accused some party officials of forging his signature.
He described the action as criminal that should be investigated.
He stated in his petition dated October 15 that he never signed the August 25 letter to INEC notifying the commission about the National Convention.
In the petition titled: “Petition against forgery and cloning of my signature,” Anyanwu described the forgery as “shocking and criminal,” insisting that the signed document was fabricated without his consent.
The letter reads in part: “My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC, 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 such a document.”
Anyanwu urged the security agencies to “commence immediate investigation and prosecute those involved”.
He alleged that some PDP officials had worked “in collaboration with elements within INEC,” to carry out the act.
Anyanwu said if allowed to stand, the forgery would undermine the integrity of the electoral process and the party’s internal democracy.
Rift over proposed convention
According to party sources, the ongoing crisis is the manifestation of the deep-seated acrimony between the camp of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Although the governors have begun preparations for the convention, plaintiffs in the case before the court have accused the NWC of violating the party’s constitution and internal guidelines.
Justice James Omotosho, who adjourned the case till today, however, asked parties in the suit not to do anything that would undermine the case.
The NWC was polarised by the disagreement between two legal luminaries – Chief Uche and Ajibade – who both claimed to represent the PDP in court.
Justice Omotosho asked the two lawyers to provide documentary evidence of their authorisation.
He directed all parties to exchange the documents they filed.
Ajibade: I remain Legal Adviser
Ajibade dismissed his purported removal, saying that only a national convention has the power to sack him from office.
He said: “I remain the authentic National Legal Adviser of the PDP,” adding that his removal was “an illegal and politically motivated attempt to hijack the party’s legal machinery.”
