Alleged forgery: PDP BoT dismisses Anyanwu’s allegation

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as “baseless and misleading” the allegation by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that his signature on letters from the PDP was forged.

Anyanwu had jolted party faithful gearing up for the November 15 National Elective Convention last weekend when he alleged that he did not sign the letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the convention.

In separate petitions to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police, calling for investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators, Anyanwu insisted that he did not co-sign the letter, which also bore the signature of the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, had immediately dismissed the allegation by providing proof of letters signed by Anyanwu and meetings he attended.

Adding its voice to the matter on Thursday, the BoT, through its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the secretary’s claim as “reprehensible” and capable of undermining the confidence-building achieved so far.

Wabara stated, “While the BoT would have preferred to refrain from engaging in matters of internal administrative procedure in the public domain, the gravity of this allegation and its capacity to mislead party members and the general public necessitate a clear and factual clarification.

“It is on record that the said INEC notification letter was jointly signed by the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary, on the 25th of August, 2025, during the 102nd meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP.

“The signing took place in the presence of critical organs and stakeholders of the Party, including members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees, and other NEC members who witnessed the process.”

The former Senate President further noted, “Subsequent to this, Senator Anyanwu was formally inaugurated as the Secretary of the Contact and Mobilisation Sub-Committee for the 2025 National Convention. In that capacity, he co-signed official communications of the sub-committee, including letters of appointment issued to its members, alongside the Sub-Committee Chairman, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State.

“Furthermore, Senator Anyanwu, in his capacity as Sub-Committee Secretary, personally signed and transmitted a letter seeking financial approval for the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee. These verifiable correspondences, bearing his signature, are in the custody of the Party and relevant Convention Committees.

“In view of these incontrovertible facts, the BoT finds Senator Anyanwu’s claim of forgery to be baseless, misleading, and, to say the least, reprehensible, being inconsistent with the documented record of events.

“Such allegations, regrettably, can only be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity of the Party’s leadership and processes, and to misinform security agencies and the general public.”

The BoT reaffirmed that the PDP remains cohesive, resolute, and unwavering in its commitment to democratic values, transparency, and internal harmony.

“The forthcoming PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, scheduled to hold from Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, shall by every measure be a credible and unifying exercise reflective of the PDP’s long-standing tradition of internal democracy.

“The BoT therefore calls on all members, stakeholders, and supporters of the Party to disregard the unfounded claims by Senator Anyanwu and remain steadfast in their support for the leadership of our great Party as it continues to chart a course for Nigeria’s democratic renewal on the platform of the PDP,” he added.

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