THE internal crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged forgery and cloning of his signature on official party documents.
In separate petitions dated October 15 and submitted to the three agencies on October 16, copies of which were obtained by News Point Nigeria, Anyanwu claimed he never signed the August 29 letter to INEC notifying the commission of the party’s upcoming National Convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025.
The development adds a fresh layer to the PDP’s already volatile internal power struggle, as factions loyal to key party figures, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, continue to clash over control of the party’s structures ahead of the convention.
In his petition titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” Anyanwu described the discovery as “shocking and criminal,” insisting that the purportedly signed document was fabricated without his consent.
“My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC, dated 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 or cloned version of my signature on such a document,” Anyanwu wrote.
He urged the IGP, DSS, and INEC to “commence immediate investigation and prosecute those involved,” attaching an excerpt of the alleged forged document as evidence.
According to him, the act amounted to “criminal conduct” by some PDP officials “in collaboration with elements within INEC,” warning that such behaviour undermines the integrity of the electoral process and the party’s internal democracy.
The controversy comes amid a deepening legal tussle over the conduct of the PDP’s planned national convention.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25 filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Abraham Nnanna along with the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the party’s constitution and internal guidelines.
The plaintiffs are seeking judicial intervention to stop the convention until the alleged irregularities are resolved.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, adjourned the case to October 20 for substantive hearing after a heated disagreement between two Senior Advocates; Chief Chris Uche and Kamaldeen Ajibade both claiming to represent the PDP in court.
The judge ordered both lawyers to provide documentary evidence of their authorisation and directed all parties to exchange court documents by October 17.
Meanwhile, in a related move, 14 members of the PDP National Working Committee on October 16 signed a letter reaffirming the removal of the National Legal Adviser and the appointment of Chief Chris Uche (SAN) as his replacement, a decision that further exposed the widening gulf within the top hierarchy.
However, Ajibade dismissed his purported removal, maintaining that only a national convention has the power to sack him from office.
“I remain the authentic National Legal Adviser of the PDP,” he said, describing the move as “an illegal and politically motivated attempt to hijack the party’s legal machinery.”
A senior party source who spoke anonymously said, “What is happening now is a fight for survival and control. Until the party decides who is truly in charge, the road to November will remain rough.”
As of press time, neither the DSS, the Police, nor INEC had officially commented on the petitions.