Convention: Anyanwu willingly signed all documents – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations of signature forgery and document cloning raised by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, insisting that he personally signed all relevant documents related to the party’s forthcoming national convention. The party described Anyanwu’s claims as part of a broader plot to frustrate preparations for the convention scheduled […]

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations of signature forgery and document cloning raised by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, insisting that he personally signed all relevant documents related to the party’s forthcoming national convention.

The party described Anyanwu’s claims as part of a broader plot to frustrate preparations for the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

However, speaking to Daily Trust last night, the embattled national secretary said he would not be drawn into public exchanges with the party, stressing that he had already submitted his petition to investigating agencies, which would uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would communicate any official position on the PDP and its convention after the Anambra governorship election.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity, Wilfred Osilama Ifogah, told one of our reporters that he was currently in Anambra for stakeholders’ engagements. “This is a latest development, and I cannot comment on it for now. Our focus is on the Anambra governorship election. Any other information will be communicated in due time,” he said.

Addressing journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed Anyanwu’s allegations, insisting that the secretary personally signed the documents in question in the presence of PDP governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and other key stakeholders.

He listed those present at the signing as Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara); former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki; and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, among others.

Ologunagba challenged investigating agencies and Nigerians to verify from these leaders whether Anyanwu signed the letters in their presence. He accused the national secretary of joining those allegedly attempting to derail the convention, stressing that “people can have alternative propaganda and twisting of stories, but what you don’t have is an alternative to facts. The facts are sacred.”

 

‘Anyanwu signed four letters in one sitting’

Ologunagba explained that during the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which INEC attended, the NEC approved the timetable for the 2025 elective national convention. The NEC, he said, also directed the national chairman and secretary to notify INEC officially in accordance with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Part Two of INEC’s guidelines for political parties.

He added that at the subsequent 102nd NEC meeting held on August 25, the chairman and Anyanwu jointly signed four letters, including one notifying INEC of the convention’s time, date, venue, and agenda.

“That meeting was preceded by a session involving governors, NWC members, and other party leaders,” Ologunagba said. “Apart from those mentioned earlier, Senator Anyanwu, the national legal adviser and the national organising secretary were present. The letters were signed on August 25, including the one to INEC.”

He said Anyanwu also wrote letters to members of subcommittees on contact and mobilisation, including one to Hon. Arthur, his personal aide, who duly acknowledged receipt.

“I wonder why he is alleging forgery nearly two months after he signed the letters and INEC had acknowledged them,” Ologunagba said.

The PDP spokesperson said while the party welcomed an investigation into the matter, it expected Anyanwu to face consequences if his claims proved false.

“He who alleges must prove,” Ologunagba stated. “Four letters were signed at the same time nearly two months ago, and suddenly one is being called forged. Beyond this, there’s a calculated attempt to derail the party and ensure the convention does not hold. But this will fail because it’s untrue. It’s criminal to make false allegations before security agencies, and anyone behind such falsehoods must face the law.”

Despite the controversy, Ologunagba said preparations for the convention were progressing smoothly.

“Many people are throwing bricks and rocks at us,” he said. “There could be many distractions, but these are becoming smaller pebbles. We are focused on the convention. The secretariats of the convention committees are bustling with activity because we are going ahead as planned. The convention is the safeguard of democracy in this country.”

 

Wike, Anyanwu’s grouse

Last month, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his allies, including Senator Anyanwu, met in Abuja and presented a list of conditions they said must be met for a successful convention.

They warned that failure to meet these demands would render the convention invalid, as legitimate members would be disenfranchised.

The meeting, attended by Wike, Anyanwu, former governors Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue), demanded fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in compliance with existing court judgments and a new South-East zonal congress.

The group also insisted that the outcome of the South-South congress in Calabar, which produced Wike’s ally, Dan Orbih, must be respected.

It further stated that there should be no micro-zoning beyond the general formula approved by the NEC, and that the national chairmanship position should remain in the North-Central, not the North-West as being proposed by some leaders.

Subsequently, some state chairmen of the party loyal to Wike instituted a lawsuit to stop the national convention. The case is yet to be decided.

 

Those who want PDP dead are still at play  – Olafeso

Commenting, a former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Dr Eddy Olafeso, described those opposing the convention as individuals determined to destroy the party.

“What is happening is the push of childbirth; you feel the pain, but a new PDP will be born,” he said. “Those who want us dead are still at play, but the majority of us are working hard to ensure it’s not a stillbirth. It’s unfortunate that those who rose through the party to the mountain top are now trying to level it.”

Olafeso said the NWC remains united behind the convention. “If you’re 17 in a committee and 16 decide to go one way, on what basis will you go the other? Power corrupts, but the will of the majority will prevail. Some have even declared open support for another party ahead of 2027. Their aim is to weaken the PDP, but we will overcome,” he said.

He stressed that the PDP, founded in 1998, remains Nigeria’s most enduring political party. “Having been a member of the NWC, I cannot play games with the survival of our party,” he said.

 

Why Anyanwu is aggrieved – Osadolor

A member of the PDP’s NEC, Timothy Osadolor, said Anyanwu’s concerns about unresolved congress issues in the South-East were legitimate and should not be ignored.

“The National Secretary’s grievances are not rocket science,” Osadolor said. “There are court judgments on the South-East zonal congress, the Ebonyi and Anambra executive issues, and these must be resolved before the convention.”

He explained that while other geopolitical zones have conducted smooth congresses, the South-East remains problematic. “The only zone with lingering issues is the South-East, where there are contentious matters in Anambra, Ebonyi, and the zonal executive,” he said.

Osadolor urged PDP governors to allow the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to handle the issues fairly and independently.

“The governors should remove pressure from Damagum and let him act freely,” he said. “No one’s interest, be it a governor’s or an ex-governor’s, should override the need to do what is right for the party. If Anyanwu is only calling for things to be done properly and constitutionally, that shouldn’t be seen as a crime.”

 

I have no plan to join APC – Gov Adeleke

In a related development, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has assured that all challenges facing the PDP will be resolved internally, dismissing rumours that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking after the inaugural meeting of the Accommodation Subcommittee for the convention at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, Adeleke said current issues in the PDP are “a family affair.”

“We are meeting and resolving our issues internally. It’s a family matter, and we don’t want anyone outside to add sugar, pepper, or salt to it,” he said. “Everybody was present at our meeting, and we have resolved everything that needed to be sorted out so that the convention can proceed smoothly.”

Reacting to recent defections, Adeleke said he was not worried, noting that individuals have the right to make their own political decisions. “We still have strong membership and widespread support across Nigeria. I am not worried,” he said.

He also debunked claims that he was planning to join the APC because of his friendships within the ruling party. “I’m a very civilised person. If I have friends in the APC and they invite me to a social function, I will attend—that doesn’t mean I’m joining them,” he said.