Seriake Dickson, the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), signaling a fresh political platform aimed at strengthening democratic competition in the country.
Dickson made the announcement on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja, coinciding with the formal unveiling of NDC, one of the two new political parties recently approved by the INEC.
Speaking to reporters, the former Bayelsa governor expressed concern that Nigeria risks drifting toward a one-party state if urgent measures are not taken to encourage political competition.
“The reason for the formation of NDC is to mobilise Nigerians who are concerned about the future of our democracy.
”We cannot sit back and watch the country drift into what is effectively a one-party state,” he said.
Dickson explained that his decision followed months of reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria and the internal challenges facing PDP.
He emphasised that NDC is designed to unite Nigerians across political divides and provide a credible alternative to strengthen democratic institutions.
“Democracy thrives on strong opposition, healthy debate and credible alternatives, and that is what we intend to build,” he added.
He assured that NDC would provide a platform for citizens who feel politically marginalised, while offering a renewed vision for national development.
Reflecting on his history with PDP, Dickson noted he had been a committed member since 2005 and acknowledged the party’s historic role in advancing democracy in Nigeria.
“No other party in Nigeria, from independence till date, has done for my people and for so-called minorities what the PDP did,” he said.
However, he lamented the party’s decline, attributing it to poor leadership and internal conflicts. “Unfortunately, my beloved party is not only sick; it has been sick for a long time.
The PDP today is in the intensive care unit, and the doctors are not smiling,” he said.
At the event, Senator Cleopas Zuwogeh, the Protem Chairman of NDC, presented Dickson with membership card number 001 and handed over the party’s flag, symbolizing authority and leadership within the new political platform.
Dickson’s move marks a significant reshaping of Nigeria’s political landscape, as he aims to build a coalition of democrats committed to ensuring fair competition and preventing single-party dominance.
