ABUJA — Former Bayelsa State Governor and serving Senator, Seriake Dickson, has accused some governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — including his successor, Governor Douye Diri — of fleeing from the “mess they created” within the party to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Dickson made the remarks while reacting to reports of defections by Governor Diri and several PDP leaders to the ruling APC. Speaking to journalists after Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, the lawmaker said the recent wave of defections exposes a failure of leadership within the PDP.
“I hope that the governors and the leadership working committee who created this mess in our party — all of them — and who instead of showing leadership, have ensured that the crisis persists, will take responsibility,” Dickson said.
“They are now the ones bailing out after creating the problem they could not solve or refused to solve. It’s very sad. It makes Nigeria look small and our democracy look ridiculous.”
‘I’m Still Standing with the PDP’
The Bayelsa senator reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, emphasizing that he remains committed to democratic pluralism and the principle of opposition politics.
“I am where I have always been. I don’t believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” he said.
“As a soldier of democracy, I remain steadfast in the PDP, working with my colleagues to fix the party and strengthen opposition in Nigeria.”
He explained that despite parting ways with his former political team in Bayelsa after leaving office, he has neither interfered in state affairs nor acted as a political godfather.
“Since I left office, I’ve not made any demands or placed any pressure on anyone. I only offer advice when consulted,” he stated.
“The governor consulted me several times, to his credit, but I didn’t see any compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect.”
‘The PDP Gave Niger Delta a Voice’
Dickson said his continued loyalty to the PDP stems from the party’s historical inclusivity, particularly toward the Niger Delta and Ijaw people.
“The PDP gave my people — the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta — an opportunity to rise politically,” he noted.
“Under the PDP, we produced a vice president, an acting president, and even a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This other party cannot do that.”
The senator, however, warned that if efforts to reform the PDP fail, he would join collective decisions aimed at preserving Nigeria’s multiparty democracy — though not necessarily by joining the ruling party.
“If we don’t succeed in saving the PDP, we will still stand for a vibrant opposition. A democracy without opposition ceases to be democracy,” he said.
Dickson Backs Tinubu’s INEC Nominee
Senator Dickson also voiced his support for President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“President Tinubu has made a very good choice. I will support his confirmation,” Dickson declared.
“As a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria — the first SAN to be nominated — we expect him to understand the weight of history and his responsibility to strengthen our electoral system.”
The senator, who also serves on the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, pledged to work with colleagues to ensure that the ongoing electoral reform efforts are completed and sustained.
