‘Baseless and misleading’ — PDP BoT dismisses Anyanwu’s convention letter forgery claim

The board of trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations of forgery and signature cloning made by Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s national secretary.

In three separate letters dated October 15, 2025, Anyanwu raised the alarm over a letter purportedly addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the PDP’s planned national convention.

The PDP national secretary claimed that the letters, which contained details of the convention slated for November 15, bore his forged signature and were sent to INEC without his knowledge or authorisation.

“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 the letter,” Anyanwu wrote.

He urged the INEC chairman, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to investigate the matter and prosecute those responsible.

‘FRORGERY CLAIM BASELESS’

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Adolphus Wabara, PDP BoT chairman, described Anyanwu’s allegation as “baseless, misleading, and reprehensible”.

“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,” the statement reads.

Wabara stated that the INEC notification letter was jointly signed by Umar Damagum, PDP chairman, and Anyanwu during the 102nd meeting of the party’s national executive council (NEC) on August 25.

He said the signing was witnessed by party organs and stakeholders, including members of the PDP governors’ forum, BoT, and other NEC members.

He said Anyanwi co-signed official communications of the sub-committee on contact and mobilisation of the national convention, including letters of appointment issued to its members.

“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,” Wabara said.

“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.”

Wabara said the PDP remains “cohesive, resolute, and unwavering” in its commitment to democratic values, transparency, and internal harmony.”

He said the forthcoming PDP elective national convention scheduled to be held on November 15 in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, will be credible and unifying.

Wabara asked party members and supporters to disregard the “unfounded claims” by Anyanwu and remain steadfast in their loyalty to the party.