Why I defected to NDC – Seriake Dickson
Former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson Joins Nigeria Democratic Congress
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — Former Bayelsa State Governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Dickson stated that his decision followed extensive consultations and reflection on the current state of Nigeria’s democracy and the internal challenges faced by the PDP.
“I am a man of conviction,” Dickson said, emphasizing that his choice was made after discussions with political allies nationwide.
He praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the NDC, framing it as a triumph for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. This registration came after a Federal High Court ruling that affirmed citizens’ rights to freedom of association, noting that previous denials of the group’s registration violated fundamental rights.
Dickson elaborated that the party’s founders had initiated legal action after unsuccessful attempts to register officially. “The court listened to all arguments and delivered judgment in our favor,” he explained. He commended the judiciary’s impartiality and INEC’s compliance with the court’s directive.
The senator believes that the NDC will bolster Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system and offer a viable platform for political engagement. “This is a fresh platform for Nigerians who believe in democratic governance and national development,” he said.
Dickson also expressed concern about the decline of the PDP, which he characterized as “gravely ill and currently on the Intensive Care Unit.” He reflected on the party’s past, stating it once unified diverse Nigerian demographics and promoted minority interests but has since been plagued by internal conflicts and leadership issues.
He cautioned against a drift toward a one-party system, citing Nigeria’s diversity as a reason against such a political structure. Throughout his career, Dickson had resisted temptations to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting on the necessity of a robust opposition for Nigeria’s democracy.
Describing his departure from the PDP as painful but necessary, he acknowledged that the circumstances compelled his decision. “As painful and emotionally unpleasant as it is to leave this great party, we have to move on,” he stated.
He thanked his constituents for their continued support and reminisced about his political journey, which began in the late 1990s with a push for democratic engagement. Having joined the PDP in 2005 and sustained nearly two decades of loyalty, he affirmed that the formation of the NDC was driven by a need to offer Nigerians a credible ideological alternative.
Following the court’s ruling, Dickson publicly adopted the NDC as his new political platform. He expressed confidence that the party would strengthen democracy by providing voters with a legitimate alternative.
The objective of the NDC, he clarified, is to form a broad coalition aimed at unifying democratic forces rather than intensifying political divisions. He urged political leaders to prioritize national interests above partisan concerns to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Shortly after his remarks, Dickson was officially welcomed by NDC leadership and presented with the party’s flag and membership card numbered “001,” designating him as a founding member.
In his address, the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwogeh, encouraged Nigerians disillusioned with the political system to engage with the new party as a platform for meaningful governance. He described the NDC’s emergence as a significant step toward enhancing Nigeria’s democratic framework, emphasizing commitments to transparency, accountability, and inclusive leadership.
As the NDC begins its political activities across the country, Zuwogeh expressed confidence that the party’s leadership would steer it effectively.
