Dickson Dumps PDP, Joins Newly Registered NDC

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The former Governor of Bayelsa State announced his departure at a press conference on Thursday at his residence in Abuja, citing the deteriorating condition of his former party.

Addressing journalists, Dickson lamented the state of the PDP, describing it as a party that has lost its vitality.

“The PDP is sick and presently in the ICU,” he said.

The senator accused some PDP governors of undermining the party’s strength by collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress, a development he said has deepened internal crises and weakened the party’s capacity to serve as a viable opposition.

According to Dickson, the situation necessitated a new political direction, leading him to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress, a newly registered political platform recently approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Explaining his decision, the lawmaker stated that it had become imperative to align with a platform that accommodates his current political aspirations.

Following his announcement, Dickson was formally received by the party leadership. He was presented with the party’s flag and issued a membership card numbered “001,” signifying his status as a founding member of the NDC.

Dickson, a prominent figure in Bayelsa politics, governed the state from 2012 to 2020 before winning his Senate seat in 2023 under the PDP banner.

His defection comes amid growing concerns over internal divisions within the PDP and a steady stream of departures from the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Details later.