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PDP National Secretary petitions DSS, Police, INEC over forged signature
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Court battle brews over convention legitimacy, legal advisers clash
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Party insists event will go ahead despite forgery claims
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has accused key officials of forging his signature on official documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the forthcoming national convention.
In a petition dated October 15, 2025, and submitted to INEC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police the following day, Senator Anyanwu declared that he never authorised or signed the controversial letter dated August 29, which referenced the party’s planned November 15–16 elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
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In a statement signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said the letter was a forged and cloned version of his signature, calling for a full-scale investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
“Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged version of my signature on the letter. I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the PDP and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted,” the petition stated.
The National Secretary’s allegation comes amid escalating disputes over the control of South-South zonal structures, the micro-zoning formula for elective positions, and the removal of the National Legal Adviser — all of which have triggered multiple legal challenges and internal rifts.
Court Intervention and Legal Tussle
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, alongside South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah Alabah George, accused the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the party’s constitution. The plaintiffs have asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to halt preparations for the convention.
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At the last hearing before Justice James Omotosho, confusion erupted as two Senior Advocates — Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) — both claimed to represent the PDP. The court ordered both counsels to produce authorisation evidence and adjourned the matter to October 20 for substantive hearing.
Meanwhile, a separate letter dated October 16, signed by 14 members of the NWC, reaffirmed the decision to remove the National Legal Adviser and appoint Chief Chris Uche (SAN) as replacement.
Ajibade, however, insisted he remains the authentic Legal Adviser, arguing that only a national convention has the power to remove him.
Party Response
Reacting to the forgery allegation, the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, told Vanguard that the party would still proceed with the convention.
“The matter is already in court, and you know in law, commenting on a case before the court amounts to sub judice. But by God’s grace, we’ll survive it — the convention will still go ahead,” Osuoha said.
