The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of a forged signature of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on a convention notice reportedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Umar Damagum-led faction of the party.
The controversy has deepened existing divisions within the opposition party as it prepares for its much-anticipated national convention slated for next month.
According to credible sources within the PDP, the disputed convention notice was received by INEC on the 29th of August 2025, bearing what appeared to be the signature of Senator Anyanwu. However, the Imo-born politician has since written to both INEC and the relevant security agencies, disclaiming the document and insisting that his signature was criminally forged.
In a strongly worded letter dated October 15, 2025, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of INEC, Anyanwu said he neither signed nor authorized any correspondence relating to the planned convention.
“My attention has been drawn to the above titled official letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol. 1M/25 – 140 dated Monday, August 25, 2025 purportedly signed by me.”
“Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorized or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged/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.”
This newspaper gathered that the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, is currently facing serious criticism from Party members with many accusing him of exhibiting ‘desperation to return as National Chairman’ and ‘engaging in the illegal manipulation of party processes.’
Furthermore, the Damagum camp is still continuing its push for the convention, currently slated for November 16, despite escalating opposition from several members of the National Working Committee (NWC)over unresolved congresses in several states across the country.
Opposing NWC members argue that proceeding with the exercise under these circumstances could plunge the party into deeper, chaotic legal battles.
A member of the NWC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated: “This is not the time for shortcuts or deceit. The signature of our National Secretary was forged which means the party must take decisive action. Any process founded on illegality will not stand.”
Court ‘freezes’ all Convention Activities
On Thursday, October 17, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja reaffirmed an earlier order directing all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the forthcoming convention.
The court order follows a suit filed by three aggrieved party members, including the Imo and Abia State PDP Chairmen, who are seeking to halt the convention. They contend that the party failed to hold the required congresses to elect delegates, thereby invalidating the entire process.
Justice Omotosho assured all parties that a judgment would be delivered before the end of October, but stressed that the subsisting order restraining any action on the convention must be respected.
The judge fixed Monday, October 20, for the definite hearing of the originating summons in the suit. The Order effectively freezes all preparations and steps towards the convention until the court rules on the legality of the gathering.