The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations of a forged signature on a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding its national convention. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the claim made by National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, is false and a calculated attempt to disrupt the party’s convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan.

Ologunagba recalled that the decision on the date, venue, and agenda of the elective national convention was made at the party’s 101 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which Anyanwu attended. Certified True Copies from INEC and available pictures confirm Anyanwu’s presence at the meeting, where the composition of the convention committees was approved.

The National Publicity Secretary also revealed that Anyanwu and the party’s chairman, Umar Damagum, co-signed the letter in question at a meeting on August 25, a day before the 102nd NEC meeting. This meeting was attended by various party leaders, including governors and National Working Committee (NWC) members. Ologunagba listed the attendees, which included Governors Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Muhammad of Bauchi, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, among others.

At the meeting, four letters were co-signed by Damagum and Anyanwu, including the letter to INEC on the national elective convention. Anyanwu did not only sign the letters but also worked as the secretary of the National Convention Contact and Mobilisation Sub-Committee, presenting a budget to the chairman of the subcommittee, Governor Duoye Diri.

Ologunagba urged security agencies to investigate Anyanwu’s allegations and hold him accountable if found to be false. He emphasized that making false allegations before security officials is a criminal offense. Despite the allegations, the PDP remains focused on its convention, with Ologunagba stating that the party is not deterred by attempts to disrupt its progress.

When asked about speculation regarding Governor Diri’s potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ologunagba responded that the PDP is a party of the people, not individuals. He emphasized that winning elections requires a combination of the people and leaders, not just governors. The PDP’s strength lies in its people, and the party remains committed to its goals, despite the challenges it faces.