The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened ahead of its planned national convention, 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.
In the petitions dated October 15 and submitted to the three institutions on October 16, copies of which were obtained by PUNCH Online, Anyanwu denied signing a letter purportedly issued on August 29 to INEC concerning the forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15–16.
The controversy adds a fresh dimension to the internal wrangling that has rocked the party, particularly between loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.
The factions have clashed over control of party structures in several states, including Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, as well as disagreements surrounding the micro-zoning arrangement for the convention. These disputes have already 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—alongside the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the party’s constitution and internal election guidelines.
The defendants in the case include INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and several other senior party officials.
During proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the matter was adjourned to October 16 after a dispute arose over legal representation.
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both claimed to be the party’s counsel.
The court ordered them to present proof of authorisation and fixed October 20 for the substantive hearing.
Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 NWC members reaffirmed the decision to remove the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and to appoint Uche (SAN) as his replacement. Ajibade, however, insisted he remains the legitimate legal adviser, arguing that only a national convention has the authority to remove him.
In his separate petitions to INEC, DSS, and the IGP, Anyanwu described the purported letter to INEC as “forged” and “unauthorised,” demanding a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
He wrote, “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.
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 attached a copy of the alleged forged document as evidence in his petitions.
The development adds to the mounting uncertainty surrounding the PDP’s November convention, as legal battles and internal divisions continue to threaten the party’s cohesion ahead of 2027.