- Safiu Kehinde
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Seriake Dickson, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and announced his defection to the newly established Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson made the announcement on Thursday during a press conference held at his residence in Abuja.
Addressing newsmen on the reason behind his defection, the former governor, who currently represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the Senate, expressed sadness over what he described as the declining state of the PDP.
He held that the party, which once brought hope and excitement to his people, had become gravely ill.
Dickson said the opposition party that once dominated Nigeria’s political landscape had deteriorated significantly, stressing that the ‘PDP is sick and presently in the ICU’.
The senator also accused some PDP governors of undermining the party’s strength by aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He accused the ruling party of worsening the PDP’s internal crisis and weakening its position as a viable opposition platform.
Dickson affirmed his stance against the one-party system the APC is allegedly tilting Nigeria towards.
According to him, the situation compelled him to chart a new political path by joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress, a newly registered political party approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state. We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously, and politically. That is the beauty of our country.” Dickson said.
He however harped on the need for a party to have a clear ideology and principles.
“We build political parties to get involved in movements to assist power for the good of the people, not for our good and benefit.
“But the party must have clear ideology. The government formed by the party must pursue ad live by those principles, values, and ideologies of the party.” He said.
Following his address, Dickson was formally welcomed into the party by its leadership.
He was presented with the official flag of the NDC and issued a membership card bearing the number “001″.
This, according to reports, symbolised his status as one of the pioneering members of the party.