…Anyanwu disowns signature, calls for criminal probe

…Damagum faction under pressure over legality crisis

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a grave turn following the discovery of a forged signature of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on an official convention notice reportedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Umar Damagum-led faction of the party.

The controversy has deepened divisions in the opposition as the PDP struggles to hold its long-anticipated national convention scheduled for next month.

According to credible party sources, INEC received the disputed notice on 29 August 2025, bearing what appeared to be Anyanwu’s signature. But the Imo-born politician has now disowned the document, describing it as a criminal forgery.

In a statement signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, dated 15 October 2025, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the INEC Chairman, the PDP National Secretary said he neither signed nor authorised any correspondence relating to the planned convention.

He wrote: “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, authorised 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.”

In a statement signed by Senator Anyanwu, he urged authorities to treat the act as a serious offence capable of endangering the credibility of the party.

The revelation has placed intense pressure on the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, who now faces widespread criticism from senior members accusing him of desperation to cling to power and of manipulating internal processes.

Despite the uproar, the Damagum camp continues to push for the convention fixed for 16 November 2025, ignoring mounting opposition from several members of the National Working Committee (NWC) over unresolved state congresses and the legality of the process.

One senior NWC member, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, described the development as an internal disgrace that cannot be ignored.

“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,” the official warned.

The crisis took a legal dimension on Thursday, 17 October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, reaffirmed an earlier order directing all parties to maintain the status quo on the disputed convention.

The ruling came after a suit filed by three aggrieved members including the Imo and Abia State PDP Chairmen seeking to stop the convention over the party’s alleged failure to conduct valid congresses to elect delegates.

Justice Omotosho assured the litigants that judgment would be delivered before the end of October, but warned that no action should be taken by any side until the court determines the legality of the gathering.

He fixed Monday, 20 October, for definite hearing of the case.