Senator representing Bayelsa West and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has described recent defections into the party as evidence of its growing national strength and acceptance.
The former Governor of Bayelsa said he was informed of what he described as “massive decampments” in Bayelsa State, including the defection of Hon. Michael Magbisa, Commissioner for Special Duties, who reportedly left the All Progressives Congress (APC) with over 5,000 supporters to join the NDC.
According to SenatorDickson, Magbisa and his supporters were received by the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Dauprebo Ikuromo, alongside members of the state executive committee.
Dickson also commended Magbisa for aligning with the party’s vision and praised the Bayelsa State leadership for what he described as commendable organisational efforts.
“I commend Hon. Magbisa for his confidence in the vision of the NDC, and I thank the State Chairman and his team for the commendable work they are doing,” he stated.
The senator further expressed appreciation to residents of Bayelsa State and Nigerians across the country, saying confidence in the NDC was steadily increasing.
He added that the party was quickly emerging as a significant political force nationwide, noting that similar developments were being recorded across several states.
His words: “Within this short period, the NDC is already proving itself to be a major political force to reckon with,” he said, adding that the party would be positioned to contest all elective offices in the upcoming general elections.
Dickson also disclosed that he had earlier received several political stakeholders and delegations from different parts of the country for consultations.
Among them was the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Chief Barnabas Ejisi, who led a delegation of state chairmen following a zonal consultative meeting.
He commended their efforts in strengthening party structures in their respective states and encouraged them to sustain what he described as growing momentum.
He also acknowledged support from stakeholders nationwide, including donations, while praying for continued goodwill and encouragement.
The senator further received a delegation from Kogi State comprising political aspirants, whom he praised for their mobilisation efforts aimed at building a stronger party structure.
Similarly, grassroots political leaders from Niger and Taraba States were welcomed into the NDC, including Dr. Sidi Abdul Bomi Gulu, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Hon. Philip Johnson, a former governorship aspirant under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He urged all new entrants and stakeholders to work closely with state leadership to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.
Describing the NDC as a pan-Nigerian ideological movement, Dickson said it was making steady progress across the country and called for greater participation in its ongoing membership registration drive.
He urged Nigerians to join the party’s campaign for what he described as democratic renewal and national restructuring.
“We must say no to a one-party state. We must say no to state capture.
“We must say yes to politics of service,” he stated and reaffirmed with the party’s slogan: “NDC all the way.”
