The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo North suffered a major blow over the weekend as Hon. Lucky James, a political heavyweight and former Director-General to Senator Francis Alimikhena, led a mass defection of party loyalists across the senatorial district.

The decision, finalized at an expanded meeting in Auchi, saw top coordinators from all six LGAs—Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East, and Akoko-Edo—dump the PDP en masse.

Though the group has not yet disclosed its new political destination, James said the decision to leave was unanimous and irreversible.

“We’ve endured long enough. The time has come to take a bold step,” he told reporters, hinting at future announcements after consultations.