Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) has taken a swipe at governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including his successor, Governor Duoye Diri, accusing them of abandoning the crisis they created in the party and defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s plenary, Dickson expressed disappointment over the defection of Governor Diri and other Bayelsa political leaders to the APC, describing the move as “sad” and damaging to Nigeria’s democracy.
“I am where I have been. I don’t believe Nigeria should be a one-party state,” Dickson said. “Those who created the problems in our party are now bailing out after refusing to solve them. It’s making our democracy look ridiculous.”
The former Bayelsa governor emphasized his continued loyalty to the PDP, insisting that he remains “as constant as the northern star” and committed to rebuilding the party.
He said he saw no compelling reason for a sitting governor seeking a second term to defect, adding that he had declined to support Diri’s decision despite being consulted multiple times.
“I left office without being a godfather. I made no demands, only offered advice. But I was not convinced about this defection,” he stated.
Dickson also reaffirmed his belief in multi-party democracy, warning that Nigeria’s political system would be endangered without a vibrant opposition.
“The PDP gave the Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta people a voice — producing a vice president, acting president, and president of Nigeria. That’s why I’m standing with the PDP,” he said.
On a separate note, the senator declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the choice as “a very good one.”
“I will support his confirmation. As a professor of law and a Senior Advocate, he understands the weight of the office and his place in history,” Dickson said.
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