Four members have been suspended indefinitely by the Edo State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party for actions that were judged to be harmful to the party’s integrity, unity, and smooth operation.
Tony Alile, the organising secretary; Chris Ojiekere, the publicity secretary; Benjamin Omonzokpia, the youth leader; and Yami Jatto, the woman leader, are among the party members who have been suspended.
Following the party’s meeting in Benin, Edo State, on Saturday, a statement was issued on Sunday that included the decision.
In the communique signed by the state party chairman, Elder Felix Obayagbon, the secretary, Hyacinth Esangbedo, and 10 others, the party said it took decisive disciplinary action against the members whose conducts constitute gross violations of Article 19, Sections 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 of the party’s constitution.
The statement read, “The Edo State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party has suspended four members indefinitely for conduct deemed detrimental to the unity, integrity, and orderly functioning of the party.
“The party 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, Organising Secretary, Tony Alile, Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojiekere, Youth Leader, Benjamin Omonzokpia, and Woman leader, Yami Jatto have been suspended indefinitely from the party.
“Their infractions include, but are not limited to, convening unauthorised meetings in defiance of established party protocols, making disparaging and inflammatory remarks against the party and its leadership.”
Other violations committed by them also include illegally claiming to suspend the duly recognised state chairman and secretary, and attempting to relocate the state secretariat without approval, thereby undermining the party’s operational structure.
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“Others are using the state chairman’s name to issue a condolence message without his knowledge or consent and travelling to Abuja without obtaining the necessary approval from the state chairman,” It added.
Alile and Ojiekere joined the party in April 2025, but the party claimed it was alarming that they had already adopted a path of insubordination and anti-party actions, damaging the party’s reputation and trying to overthrow its legally appointed leadership.
The statement claims that these people are openly conspiring with a number of prominent opportunists and transactional politicians who reappear during each election cycle to strike agreements that benefit themselves at the expense of the party’s principles and goals.
In anticipation of the August 2025 bye-election, this coalition has been revived with the express purpose of seizing control of the party apparatus for self-serving political ends.
It also said, “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 jeopardise its integrity, legality, or collective vision.”
