News Investigators/ The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the allegation of forged signature on letter for its national convention to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu is false.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba flanked some leaders of the party stated this at a news conference in Abuja.
He described Mr Anyanwu’s allegation as false and calculated attempt to derail the party and its national convention scheduled for Nov.15 in Ibadan
He recalled that the decision on the date, venue and agenda of the elective national convention was taken at the party’s 101 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, in which Anyanwu participated during which him and the party chairman were directed to write INEC.
He said that the Certified True Copies from INEC showed that Anyanwu was number 4 on the attendance list, while available pictures also proved that he was present at the same meeting where composition for the convention committees were approved.
Mr Ologunagba also said that both Anyanwu and Damagum co-signed the letter he now disclaimed at a meeting on Aug. 25 PDP, a day before its 102nd NEC meeting which was held on Aug. 26.
“That meeting of Aug. 25 was preceded by a meeting of governors, NWC members, leaders of the party, in this building, in the office of the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, where every member from the NWC was present.
“Others at the meeting were Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammad and Mr Anyawu, the legal adviser and national organising were also present,” he said
Other present at the meeting according to Mr Ologunagba were Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawa.
He further listed the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Minister, Taminu Taraki, SAN, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliu and all NWC members among those present.
Mr Ologunagba stated that at the meeting four letters were co-signed by Damagum and Anyanwu.
“The letters were PDP letter on National Elective convention to INEC composition of national convention membership, notice of repeat PDP South-East 2025 Zonal Congresses, notice of repeat of PDP Congress in Anambra and Ebonyi.”
He added that Mr Anyanwu did not only sign the letters, he was the secretary of the National Convention Contact and Mobilisation Sub-Committee, in which he even started working for the sub-committee.
“To show that he started working on that, there was a budget presented by him. The budget was sent to Gov. Duoye Diri, the chairman of the contact and mobilisation subcommittee,” he said.
Mr Ologunagba said that Anyanwu also signed letters to the sub-committee members including an aide in his office.
“Curiously, few days after he suddenly woke up and say letter was forged. When the NWC is aware of this acknowledgement.
“So at what point does that become a forged document? 50 old days after the letter was signed,” he said.
Mr Ologunagba urged the security agencies to investigate Anyanwu’s allegations and ensure if found out to be false, he should face the consequences.
“Beyond this, there is a calculated attempt to derail the party and ensure that the convention is not in place. But again, this is a falling flat on the face because it’s untrue. At best, it’s a lie.
“It is criminal to make false allegations before security officials and security agencies.
“I would think they should take it up and our party would be interested in having to get to the end of this matter because forgery is a very serious allegation.
“If anybody who is involved in it or who is behind stories that are not true with regards to that, they should have their day with the security agencies,” he said.
Mr Ologunagba, however, said that irrespective of the bricks thrown at the party, PDP was focused on its convention.
Asked if any of the PDP leaders had been invited by the secretary the police of any of the security agencies over the allegation, Ologunagba said not to his knowledge.
On speculation about Bayel State Governor, Diri defection to the APC, Mr Ologunagba said that the PDP was party of the people and not individuals.
“Yes, governors have roles to play, but winning elections is not solely about governors.
“It is a combination of the people and the governor as leaders and other people to allow us to win. The real strength of winning is in the people,” he said.
NAN