The Edo State Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has suspended indefinitely four members of the party for various misconducts.
The suspension is contained in a press statement entitled “SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP), EDO STATE WORKING COMMITTEE TAKES DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ERRING MEMBERS”.
The statement, signed by the state chairman of the party, Elder Felix Obayagbon; the secretary, Mr. Hycenth Esangbedo; and other state executive members, was made available to journalists at a press briefing in Benin City.
At the press briefing, Elder Obayagbon noted that the infractions of the suspended members include, but are not limited to, convening unauthorized meetings in defiance of established party protocols, making disparaging and inflammatory remarks against the party and its leadership, and illegally claiming to suspend the duly recognized State Chairman and State Secretary, among others.
The party members whose suspensions are with immediate effect are: Chief Tony Alile — Organizing Secretary; Mr. Chris Ojiekere—publicity secretary; Mr. Benjamin Omonzokpia – Youth Leader and Mrs. Yami Jatto – Woman Leader.
The press statement reads, “The Edo State Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken decisive disciplinary action against four members whose actions constitute gross violations of Article 19, Sections 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 of the Party’s Constitution. Their conduct has been deemed detrimental to the unity, integrity, and orderly functioning of the party.
“Effective immediately, the following individuals have been suspended indefinitely from the party:
1. Chief Tony Alile – Organizing Secretary
2. Mr. Chris Ojiekere – Publicity Secretary
3. Mr. Benjamin Omonzokpia – Youth Leader
4. Mrs. Yami Jatto – Woman Leader
Their infractions include, but are not limited to:
Convening unauthorized meetings in defiance of established party protocols
Making disparaging and inflammatory remarks against the party and its leadership
Illegally claiming to suspend the duly recognized State Chairman and State Secretary, a flagrant violation of the party’s constitutional framework
Attempting to relocate the State Secretariat without approval, thereby undermining the party’s operational structure
Forging official party letterhead and the signatures of the State Chairman and Secretary to mislead the public and falsely legitimize their unlawful actions
Using the State Chairman’s name and forged documents to issue a condolence message without his knowledge or consent
Travelling to Abuja with two subordinates without obtaining the necessary approval from the State Chairman
“It is particularly disturbing that Chief Tony Alile and Mr. Chris Ojiekere, who only joined the party in April 2025, have so quickly embraced a path of insubordination, forgery and anti-party activities, thereby tarnishing the image of the party and attempting to undermine its constitutionally established leadership.
“Furthermore, these individuals are acting in open connivance with a group of well-known transactional politicians, opportunists who notoriously resurface during every election cycle to negotiate self-serving deals and “cash out” at the expense of the party’s integrity and mission. This alliance has been rekindled ahead of the upcoming bye-election scheduled for August 2025, with the sole aim of hijacking the party structure for selfish political gain.
“Such actions represent egregious violations of the SDP Constitution and are entirely incompatible with the party’s foundational principles.
“The SDP, Edo State Chapter, remains unwavering in its commitment to internal democracy, discipline and unity. The party will not tolerate actions that jeopardize its integrity, legality or collective vision.”
It would be recalled that some members of the Social Democratic Party had purportedly suspended the party chairman, Elder Felix Obayagbon, and the secretary, Mr. Hycenth Esangbedo.
The development was one of the reasons given for the suspension of the four members by the leadership of Edo SDP.
