The senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, announced his defection during a press conference held on Thursday at his residence in Abuja.
The lawmaker said his decision followed what he described as the steady decline of the party that once dominated Nigeria’s political space.
Speaking to journalists, Dickson lamented that the PDP, which he said once inspired hope among Nigerians, had deteriorated significantly.
“The PDP is sick and presently in the ICU,” he said.
He further accused some governors elected on the platform of the PDP of weakening the party by aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress, a development he noted had deepened the party’s internal crisis and diminished its effectiveness as an opposition force.
According to the senator, the situation compelled him to seek a new political direction by joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress, a recently registered political party approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Dickson explained that moving to a new political platform had become necessary to advance his political career and aspirations.
Following his announcement, the leadership of the NDC formally received him into the party.
He was presented with the party’s flag and issued a membership card bearing the number “001,” signifying his position as one of the party’s pioneer members.
Dickson served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2012 to 2020 before he was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the PDP.
His defection comes amid increasing concerns over internal divisions within the PDP and a growing wave of defections by party members to other political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
More details later.