By Attah Ede
The former governor of Bayelsa State and now, Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Dr. Seriake Dickson, has announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Dickson announced his decision at a world press conference held on Thursday at his residence in Abuja.
The ex-governor stated that the main opposition party that once dominated Nigeria’s political landscape had deteriorated significantly.
He expressed sadness over what he described as the declining state of the PDP, stressing that the party, which once brought hope and excitement to his people, had become gravely ill.
“The PDP is sick and presently in the ICU,” he lamented.
Seriake further accused some PDP governors of undermining the party’s strength by aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He lamented that the situation had worsened the party’s internal crisis and weakened its position as a viable opposition platform in the country.
“The situation compelled me to chart a new political path by joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“This is a newly registered political party approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“It has become necessary for me to move forward with my political career on a platform that reflects my current political aspirations”, Dickson said.
Shortly after his speech, Dickson was formally welcomed into the party by its leadership and presented with the party flag and constitution
After he was presented with the official flag of the NDC, he was thereafter issued a membership card bearing the number “001,” symbolising his status as one of the pioneering members of the party.
Dickson, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2012 to 2020 before his election to the Senate in 2023 under the platform of the PDP.
His defection comes amid growing concerns about internal divisions within the PDP and a wave of defections by party members to other political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
