Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has strongly condemned the recent wave of defections by opposition governors and party leaders into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “mockery of democracy.”
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja shortly after plenary, the former Bayelsa State Governor reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and dismissed any suggestion that he might follow the path of defectors.
“I am where I have always been,” Dickson declared. “I don’t believe Nigeria should 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.”
Reacting to the defection of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Dickson expressed disappointment that some leaders were abandoning the PDP instead of addressing the challenges within the party.
“It’s sad. Instead of fixing the problems, they let the crisis fester and now they are bailing out. It makes Nigeria look small, ridicules our democracy, and endangers multiparty politics. What we are witnessing is political class suicide,” he said.
The senator disclosed that Diri had reached out to him before finalizing his move to the APC, but noted that he saw no justifiable reason to leave the PDP.
“To his credit, he consulted me, but I didn’t see any compelling reason to defect. I’m still standing where I have always stood — with the PDP — the party that gave my people the opportunity to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic. The APC cannot offer that,” Dickson stated.
He emphasized that preserving the PDP was critical to maintaining Nigeria’s democratic balance, warning that the collapse of opposition parties could push the country toward authoritarian rule.
“If we fail to save the PDP, then we will decide collectively on the next step, but it certainly should not be joining the APC. A democracy without opposition becomes a dictatorship,” he warned.
