The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alleged that his signature was forged on an official letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notifying the body of the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Anyanwu, a known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the allegation in separate petitions to INEC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police.

In the petitions dated October 15 and obtained by PUNCH on Sunday, Anyanwu stated that he never signed the August 29 letter to INEC notifying the commission of the planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.

Addressing his petition to the acting Chairman of INEC, the PDP scribe titled it “RE: Peoples Democratic Party Year 2025 Elective National Convention: Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature.”

Anyanwu maintained that the document in question was neither authorised nor issued by him.

“My attention has been drawn to the above titled official letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.1M/25-140 dated Monday, 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 the letter,” he wrote.

The party official called for a full investigation into what he described as a criminal act allegedly perpetrated by PDP officers in collaboration with insiders within INEC.

“I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted. Attached herewith is an excerpt of the forged document for ease of reference,” he added.

In separate letters to the DSS Director-General and the Inspector-General of Police titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” Anyanwu repeated his demand for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

The latest development further compounds the PDP’s troubles ahead of its scheduled convention, which has already been fraught with internal disagreements and leadership disputes.

Despite the party’s decision to host the convention in Ibadan, discontent remains high among Wike’s allies, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Their grievances centre on the unresolved tussle over South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in several states — including Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Plateau — and disagreements over the micro-zoning formula for key national offices.

The internal divisions have now extended to the judiciary. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, 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 electoral guidelines.

The suit lists INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and several senior members as defendants.

During Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was adjourned to October 16 after a dispute over which lawyer was legally authorised to represent the party.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both laid claim to being the PDP’s official counsel. The judge ordered them to present proof of authorisation before the next sitting and fixed October 20 for substantive hearing, with all parties directed to exchange court documents by October 17.

Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the NWC reaffirmed the decision to remove the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and to appoint Uche (SAN) as his replacement.

Reacting, Ajibade insisted that he remains the party’s substantive Legal Adviser, arguing that only a national convention — not the NWC — has the constitutional power to remove him from office.

Anyanwu’s petitions to security agencies and INEC have now intensified uncertainty over the PDP’s upcoming convention, fuelling concerns that the opposition party’s internal strife — now marred by forgery allegations and courtroom battles — could derail preparations for its crucial leadership transition.

Credit: The Punch

The Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His confirmation came after a voice vote by lawmakers, following a screening session in which Amupitan answered questions on his plans for the commission’s future.

Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, exchanged pleasantries with senators before entering the chamber. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and several dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., he was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado. His entry followed a motion by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), to suspend Order 12 and permit visitors into the chamber. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence. Akpabio also disclosed that the nominee had been cleared by multiple security agencies, including the National Security Adviser’s office, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force. According to Akpabio, “the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search, confirmed that Amupitan has no criminal record.”

The screening began around 12:55 p.m. after Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the Senate’s procedure for assessing the nominee’s credentials. Lawmakers quizzed Amupitan on his vision for credible elections, plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and strategies for enhancing the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral system.

With his confirmation, Amupitan will now oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and set the stage for the 2027 general elections.

Earlier reports indicated that President Bola Tinubu nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The nomination letter was read by Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan is widely respected for his expertise in constitutional and international law.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for his screening and confirmation.

Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier in the day, exchanged pleasantries with Senators before entering the chamber. He was accompanied by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and other dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., he was ushered into the Senate chamber by Senator Abubakar Lado, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate). The session was convened after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved that Order 12 be suspended to allow “strangers” into the chamber. His motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber. He informed Senators that the nominee had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) after a comprehensive vetting process.

According to Akpabio, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police’s office had also cleared Amupitan, confirming he had no criminal record.

The screening commenced around 12:55 p.m., following Akpabio’s remarks outlining the procedures for assessing the nominee’s credentials.

Earlier in the week, President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan — a Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) — to succeed former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned from his position.

Tinubu’s nomination letter was read on the Senate floor during plenary on Tuesday.

Amupitan, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, is widely recognised for his expertise in constitutional and international law. His nomination, however, has attracted mixed reactions from civil society organisations and political stakeholders, some of whom have called for deeper electoral reforms to strengthen INEC’s independence and transparency.

The ongoing screening is expected to centre on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and strategies to enhance the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

If confirmed by the Senate, Amupitan will lead preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and set the foundation for the 2027 general elections.