Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa State governor and senator representing Bayelsa West has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declaring that the former is “critically ill and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).”
Dickson made the announcement on Thursday during a world press conference in Abuja, where he cited deepening internal crises and what he described as a steady erosion of the PDP’s credibility as a viable opposition platform.
“I am a man of conviction. The PDP, as it stands today, is sick and presently in the ICU,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he termed the declining state of the party, lamenting that recent developments had further weakened its structure and unity.
According to him, some PDP governors have allegedly undermined the party by aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby worsening its internal instability.
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Dickson argued that the situation had diminished the PDP’s capacity to effectively play its role in Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our nation cannot afford to drift into a one-party state,” he warned. Dickson stressed the importance of a strong and credible opposition to safeguard democratic values and accountability.
He explained that his decision to leave the PDP was not taken lightly but informed by his desire to chart a new political course capable of strengthening democratic ideals and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative.
Following his formal declaration, Dickson was officially received by the leadership of the NDC. He was presented with the party’s flag and issued a membership card bearing the number “001,” symbolising his status as a foundational member in the party’s ongoing reorganisation efforts.
The defection marks a significant political development, given Dickson’s longstanding influence within the PDP and his previous role as governor of Bayelsa State.
