In a major political realignment in Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has publicly distanced himself from the defection of Governor Douye Diri, reaffirming his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite mounting defections within the party.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, Senator Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West and served as governor between 2012 and 2020, stated unequivocally that he remains a committed member of the PDP. He confirmed that Governor Diri had consulted him before resigning from the party but stressed that he found no compelling reason to leave the platform that gave them both political identity.
“I remain in the PDP. Governor Diri discussed his intentions with me, and I made my position very clear — I see no need for defection. My focus remains on strengthening the democratic ideals of our great party,” Dickson told reporters.
Governor Douye Diri, along with 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, formally resigned from the PDP earlier this week. Reliable sources from Government House, Yenagoa, confirmed that the governor is expected to officially declare for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming days. The defection marks one of the most significant political shifts in the Niger Delta since the 2023 general elections.
According to statements issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri’s decision followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP and his desire to reposition politically ahead of future elections. His move comes barely a week after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also dumped the PDP for the APC, signaling what analysts describe as a “wave of strategic defections” from Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Political observers note that the defection has deepened existing cracks within Bayelsa’s PDP structure. Dickson, once Diri’s political mentor and the architect of his rise to power, is now said to be at odds with the governor’s camp. Reports suggest that Dickson was not fully involved in the planning of the defection, underscoring a growing distance between the two leaders since the last election cycle.
Analysts believe Diri’s exit may reshape Bayelsa’s political landscape and alter power dynamics ahead of 2027. While 23 lawmakers joined the governor in the mass exodus, several National Assembly members, believed to be loyal to Dickson, have refused to defect. The development has also sparked uncertainty over the political future of Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who is yet to declare his stance.
Some sources speculate that the governor’s decision might also be a strategic move to shield himself from political pressure and anticipated scrutiny from anti-corruption agencies, although such claims remain unverified.
Political commentators say the defection signifies a power shift in Bayelsa, one that may pit Diri’s emerging alliance with the APC-led federal government against Dickson’s enduring grassroots influence within the PDP.
As the Bayelsa House of Assembly now tilts heavily towards the APC, only one legislator is believed to have resisted the defection wave. The state’s political atmosphere remains tense, with both camps making frantic efforts to consolidate support ahead of the next election cycle.
Senator Dickson, however, insists that his decision to remain in PDP is not driven by sentiment but by principle. “My position is rooted in conviction. I will continue to work for the peace and progress of Bayelsa and for the stability of our democracy,” he said.
With the defection of Governor Diri and his loyalists, the PDP’s dominance in Bayelsa appears to be hanging by a thread, while the APC looks set to gain unprecedented ground in the oil-rich state.