Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has criticized the defection of Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as unnecessary and unjustified.
Speaking on Tuesday, Dickson expressed surprise over Diri’s decision, revealing that the governor had consulted him several times before the defection.
“Everyone is rushing to the ruling party; you don’t even know what is pushing them or what they are pursuing. The governor consulted me several times, and I was not convinced because I didn’t see any compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect,” Dickson stated.
The senator emphasized that despite the wave of defections hitting the PDP, he remains steadfast in his loyalty to the party, which he described as “the only true national platform for democracy and development.”
Dickson also warned that Nigeria’s democracy risks slipping into a one-party state if the current trend of political intimidation and opportunism continues unchecked.
“Power is transient,” he said. “We must not trade our principles and institutions for temporary political gains.”
The defection of Governor Diri, along with 23 members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, marks another major setback for the PDP amid growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
