Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
In a bold and resounding political move that has sent ripples through Edo State’s political landscape, prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and respected elder statesman, Chief Tony Alile, has officially resigned from the party, citing irreparable internal decay and a lack of strategic direction.
In a resignation letter, made available to Truth Live News and addressed to the Chairman of Oredo Ward 11, PDP, Chief Alile did not mince words in expressing his deep disappointment over the party’s failure to reform and reposition itself as a credible opposition force in Nigeria’s evolving political climate.
” The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has unfortunately lost the capacity to organize itself and form a formidable opposition to the present administration,” Alile wrote. “Individuals with well-known self-serving agendas continue to steer the party towards self-destruction, with little to no effort from the leadership to address these issues.”
Alile’s departure reflects growing dissatisfaction among party loyalists and stakeholders who have long called for internal reforms, strategic recalibration, and a united front to challenge what many describe as the APC-led government’s poor governance and economic mismanagement.
In a move signaling a potential realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, Chief Alile announced his formal defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), effective Thursday, April 10, 2025.
“I firmly believe that a coalition of multiple political parties may be the key to addressing the mismanagement and lack of direction that currently plagues our government,” he added.
Chief Alile, known for his political astuteness, grassroots reach, and history of mentoring young political leaders in Edo State, becomes one of the highest-ranking figures in the South-South region to switch allegiance to the SDP in recent times.
Political observers note that his exit may trigger a wave of defections, particularly among members disillusioned with PDP’s national leadership and its failure to resolve longstanding internal rifts.
While the PDP leadership in Edo State has yet to release an official statement, insiders suggest that Alile’s resignation has rattled the ward and state chapters. Meanwhile, SDP officials have reportedly welcomed the move, describing Alile’s decision as a major boost for the party’s credibility and appeal in Edo and beyond.
Chief Tony Alile’s resignation from the PDP and defection to the SDP is more than a political statement — it is a wake-up call to opposition parties to reinvent themselves or risk political extinction. With 2027 on the horizon, the question remains: will this move inspire a mass exodus or finally force a long-overdue PDP reckoning?