PDP Convention in Jeopardy as Anyanwu Alleges Forgery of Signature

The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has taken a dramatic turn following allegations of signature forgery by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The development comes amid a wave of defections that has further weakened the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In what party insiders described as a major blow, the PDP this week lost two sitting governors, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, both of whom defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defections have rattled the opposition party, which had viewed the forthcoming convention as a chance to re-strategise and rebuild following its poor outing in the 2023 polls.

Anyanwu Raises Alarm Over Forged Signature

While the party was still reeling from the losses, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu stirred further controversy when he alleged that his signature had been forged on an official letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a petition sighted by Daily Trust, Anyanwu, who has been at loggerheads with the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), denied signing or authorising the letter dated August 25, 2025.

“My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.1M/25–140 dated August 25, 2025, purportedly signed by me,” he stated.

“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.”

Anyanwu therefore called on the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the matter and bring those responsible to justice.

Forgery Claim Casts Shadow Over Convention

The revelation by the National Secretary has added a new layer of tension to the party’s already fragile unity and raised doubts about the feasibility of the convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan.

Party sources say the alleged forgery could complicate ongoing legal battles over the legitimacy of the convention and deepen divisions within the NWC.

The PDP has been enmeshed in internal crisis since the 2023 presidential primaries that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate, defeating Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Convention Still Holds – Ologunagba

Despite the turmoil, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintained that the convention remains on course.

“The convention is sacrosanct,” Ologunagba said, dismissing insinuations that the recent events might force a postponement.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Working Committee to hold the exercise as planned, adding that the party was determined to rebuild and reposition itself for the challenges ahead of 2027.