The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asserted that its national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, signed the letter of notice for the conduct of the party’s national convention in the presence of the party’s governors and other leaders.
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba, said this while dismissing Anyanwu’s claim that his signature was forged on the party’s notification letter to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the national convention holding on November 15, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Anyanwu had petitioned the Police, INEC and the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that his signature was forged on a notice letter to INEC for the party’s convention.
Convention: PDP Secretary Anyanwu Alleges Forgery, Petitions DSS, Others
Dismissing the national secretary’s allegation, Ologunagba, said it was aimed at thwarting the party’s national convention, stressing that Anyanwu’s sudden realisation, after almost 60 days, that his signature was forged was curious.
He said PDP expects the security agencies to conduct a proper investigation into Anyanwu’s claim, adding however that under criminal law there are personal consequences for people who deliberately misinform security agencies to go on a wild goose chase.
Narrating how Anyanwu signed the INEC letter, Ologunagba said the national secretary signed four letters on August 25, including the notice letter to INEC for the convention, in the national chairman’s office.
He said governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed); Oyo (Seyi Makinde); Osun (Ademola Adeleke); Zamfara (Dauda Lawal); Adamawa (Umaru Fintiri) were present at the meeting.
He added that former Senate president Abubakar Bukola Saraki and other members of the party’s national executive were also present at the meeting when the letters were signed.
Recounting the events, Ologunagba said, “Now, you recall that at the 101 NEC meeting of this party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu was number four on that attendance register and INEC was fully represented.
“NEC approved the 2025 elective national convention schedule of activities and timetable. Under the approved timetable, the elective national convention to elect a new set of national officers of our party will be held on Saturday, 15th to 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
“Consequently, NEC directed the national chairman, his excellency, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, and the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to officially write to inform INEC. This was the meeting on the 24th of July.
“NEC directed the national chairman and national secretary to officially write to inform the independent national electoral commission, INEC, of the time, the venue, and the agenda for the national elective convention.
“In accordance with the requirement of section 82.1 of the electoral act 2022, and part two, of the regulations and guidelines for political parties 2022.
“Accordingly, NEC also approved the membership composition of the national convention committee, which we call the National Convention Organising Committee, as well as membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee, which was approved at the 101 meeting of 24th of July.
“Now, fast forward to the 102nd NEC meeting, which was on the 25th of August, 2025. The chairman and the national secretary, Senator Anyanwu, wrote letters. That meeting of the 25th of August was preceded by a meeting of governors, NWC members, leaders of the party, in this building, in the office of the national chairman, where every member here from the NWC were present.
“Others at the meeting are His Excellency, Rt. Honorable Umaru Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Bala Abulkadir Muhammad, the governor of Bauchi, he was there at the meeting before the NEC meeting, in the office of the chairman, where Senator Anyanwu was present. The legal adviser was present. The national organising secretary was present.
“And all the members seated at the table here, and those that cannot even make this meeting were there. The third person who was present at that meeting was His Excellency Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the governor of Osun State. His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State. His Excellency Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State. His Excellency Senator Bukola Saraki was present. His Excellency Kabiru Tamiru Taraki, SAN, was present. His Excellency Babangida Aliyu was present. All National Working Committee (NWC) members were present.
“At that meeting, four letters were signed, on the 25th of August, before the gentleman and members that are seated here, four letters were written and signed in their presence in the office of the national chairman and these are the letters, I will identify them.
“The letter to INEC, signed by Senator Anyanwu and the chairman. The 101 NEC meeting directed them to issue a letter of notice, conveying time, date, venue, and agenda of the national convention at Ibadan. The letter was written which was the elective convention, the date, and of course the venue, which was signed by him (Anyanwu). Another letter that was signed that day, by him, with the chairman, was the composition of the elective national convention membership, which was signed by him (Anyanwu) and the chairman. That’s the second letter that was signed.
“The third letter that was signed at that same meeting, at the same time, before the same gentleman, was notice, and listen to this, notice of repeat South East 2025 Zonal Congresses of Peoples Democratic Party, post one to section 82-1.
“That letter was signed by him and the chairman. And the last letter was notice of repeat congresses in Anambra and Ebonyi States, post one to section 82-1 of the electoral act. So these four letters were signed at the same time, at the same venue, before these gentlemen,” the PDP spokesman said.
He added that Anyanwu was secretary of the contact and mobilisation committee.
Ologunagba said Anyanwu had begun work and participated in setting up the processes.
He said Anyanwu had prepared, signed and presented a budget to the chairman of the contact and mobilisation committee, Governor Duoye Diri, (who has now defected from PDP).
On whether the party would pursue legal action against the national secretary if the allegations proved wrong, he said “When we get to a bridge because again, we can’t pre-empt.”
