Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the surprise defection of incumbent Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking to journalists shortly after Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, Senator Dickson described Diri’s move as “regrettable, unnecessary, and dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy,” warning that the growing wave of defections could lead to the emergence of a one-party state — a situation he said poses a grave threat to democratic governance and multiparty competition.
“I am where I have always been,” Dickson declared. “I do not believe Nigeria should ever become a one-party state. As a democrat, I understand the ups and downs of politics, but I remain constant and steadfast in the PDP. I have no intention of abandoning the platform that gave me and my people the opportunity to serve this nation.”
Senator Dickson, who governed Bayelsa State between 2012 and 2020, also accused some PDP governors of contributing to the party’s current challenges by failing to show genuine leadership or commitment to internal reforms before defecting.
“It’s sad,” he continued. “Instead of fixing the problems within the party, they allowed the crisis to fester. Now they are jumping ship. What we are witnessing is political class suicide — actions that make our democracy look weak and unserious before the world.”
The senator revealed that Governor Diri had personally consulted him several times before making the move to the ruling party, but he said he found the reasons given for defection both unconvincing and inconsistent with democratic principles.
“To his credit, Governor Diri reached out to me before his decision. But I did not see any compelling justification for joining the APC. I told him plainly that I would not follow that path. My loyalty remains with the PDP — the party that gave Bayelsa the opportunity to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and even a President of the Federal Republic. That history and legacy cannot be traded away,” Dickson stated.
He further urged members of the PDP across Nigeria to remain resolute, saying that internal differences should not be used as an excuse to abandon the ideals upon which the party was founded.
“If we fail to save the PDP, then we will sit down collectively to decide the next direction for Nigeria’s democracy. But what we should never do is join the APC or surrender to one-party dominance. A democracy without a credible opposition becomes a dictatorship,” he warned.
Political observers note that Dickson’s remarks come at a critical time for the PDP, which has suffered a series of high-profile defections in recent months, including governors, legislators, and former ministers. The senator’s strong statement is being interpreted as an attempt to rally the remaining loyalists and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senator Dickson, who has consistently positioned himself as one of the party’s ideological anchors, also called on the PDP’s national leadership to embark on sincere reconciliation and restructuring to restore unity and trust among members.
“We must go back to our founding values — inclusiveness, fairness, and accountability. The PDP must be reformed from within to reclaim its place as Nigeria’s true democratic institution,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail Governor Diri’s defection, with some analysts describing it as a major political shift in the South-South region, while others argue that the move could further deepen Nigeria’s political divide
