Anambra 2025: Disquiet in PDP over submission of candidates’ names to INEC

There is rising disquiet in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the submission of candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the governorship election in Anambra State.

There is a tussle between two contending National Secretaries of the party whose letter was accepted by the INEC for the PDP governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the Anambra gubernatorial poll.

While there are claims that Samuel Anyanwu submitted the names of the PDP governorship candidate and deputy to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the Anambra State; the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, refuted the claims, asserting that the nomination list was signed by the acting national secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, former PDP State Chairman in Lagos.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement declared: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a report in today’s (yesterday) edition of the THISDAY Newspapers regarding the forwarding of the nomination of our party’s candidates for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

‘’The said report with the caption “Wike Tightens Grip on PDP as Anyanwu Reassumes Role as National Secretary” is false and apparently scripted to mislead the public and cause confusion in our party.

‘’For the avoidance of doubt, the Nomination Form for the PDP candidate in the Anambra State governorship election was signed by the duly authorised signatories of the party; the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo in a letter with reference number: PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-065 dated Wednesday, May 07, 2025. (Document attached).

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‘’It should be noted that in the light of the Supreme Court judgement affirming the supremacy of the Party over its Internal affairs, the NWC in a letter with reference number: PDP/DOM/GF.2/ VOL. IF/25-061, dated May 05, 2025 and signed by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo. (Document attached), conveyed to INEC, the resolution taken at its 600th meeting wherein it directed the Deputy National Secretary to act as National Secretary in line with the provision of Section 36 (2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

‘’For clarity Section 36 (2) of the PDP Constitution empowers the Deputy National Secretary “to act as National Secretary whenever so directed.

‘’It is also clear by the date and time stamp on the nomination page on INEC portal that the Commission concluded on the nomination process based on the documents duly co-signed by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo.

‘’The NWC, therefore, urges all members of the PDP, the media and the general public to disregard the said report as well as the fake letter being circulated in the social media.

‘’While reassuring on the credibility of our internal processes, the NWC urges all members of the PDP to remain steadfast and focused especially as our Party prepares for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the National Convention.’’

On the other divide, Anyanwu insisted that he signed the forms, saying he signed the authentic nomination forms for the Anambra State Governorship election.

He maintained that “the person that signed the statement is not in the true picture of what is happening’’ adding that, ‘’he was persuaded to sign the nomination forms on Monday. Debo Ologunagba does not know what is happening.”

According to Anyanwu, “INEC rejected the earlier letter signed by Sotonji Kodesho as acting national secretary. He is not known to INEC.

“So, I will keep my cool. What I did is in the overall interest of the party. INEC should also tell Nigerians whose letter is accepted in the nomination form.”

Anyanwu in a media interaction stated: ‘’Even a governor and a member of the Saraki-led committee called and pleaded that I should sign the nomination forms.

“I signed the nomination forms on Monday.”