PDP BoT Dismisses Forgery Claim by National Secretary

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the allegation made by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, claiming that his signature was forged on a letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the party’s upcoming national convention.

In a statement released on Thursday by the BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, the board clarified that the letter in question was jointly signed by Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and Senator Anyanwu on August 25, 2025, during the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.

The signing, according to the board, was done in the presence of party leaders, including members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the BoT, and other NEC representatives.

The board explained that after the meeting, Senator Anyanwu was also appointed as Secretary of the Contact and Mobilisation Sub-Committee for the convention, where he worked closely with the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who served as chairman.

It noted that Anyanwu personally signed and submitted several official communications, including letters seeking financial approval for committee meetings, which remain in the party’s records.

The PDP BoT described the forgery claim as unfounded and misleading, saying it could cause confusion among members and discredit the leadership ahead of the 2025 elective national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan from November 15 to 16.

The board reaffirmed the party’s unity and commitment to conducting a credible convention, while urging members to disregard allegations capable of creating internal tension.

The controversy comes amid ongoing leadership disputes in the party, especially between supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The disagreements reportedly centre on control of the party’s structure in the South-South and the zoning of key positions.

In addition, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia states have taken legal action against the Damagum-led National Working Committee, accusing it of violating the party’s constitution. The case, currently before Justice James Omotosho, is set for ruling on October 30.

Senator Anyanwu has also petitioned security agencies to investigate the alleged forgery, but the PDP leadership maintains that the documents were properly signed, dismissing the claim as a distraction from preparations for the forthcoming convention.