Sen Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) has distanced himself from the defection of Gov Douye Diri and 23 members of the Bayelsa Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking after the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Dickson reaffirmed his commitment to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that he has no plans to join the ruling party.
The senator expressed disappointment that neither the governor nor the state lawmakers consulted him before their decision to leave the PDP.
Dickson suggested that the internal issues within the PDP could have been addressed through proper party leadership rather than a mass defection.
“What is the role of party leadership if it cannot resolve crises?” Dickson remarked, emphasizing that leadership should be focused on resolving conflicts, not abandoning the party.
Referring to the situation in Bayelsa, Dickson, who served as the state’s governor before Diri, said the governor and lawmakers were part of his political team, but he did not consider himself a political godfather.
“I never played the role of a godfather. I handed over power and moved on to my duties as a senator,” he said. “I will remain in the PDP, a lone northern star,” he emphasised.
Governor Diri, along with the entire Bayelsa State House of Assembly, officially joined the APC in a ceremony in Yenagoa on Wednesday, marking a major shift in the state’s political alignment.
This defection has raised eyebrows, as Bayelsa has been a stronghold of the PDP for years.
While Diri’s move to the APC reflects a broader trend of political realignments in the region, Dickson made it clear that he will not follow suit.
He emphasised that the PDP’s challenges could be resolved within the party, not by switching allegiances.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Senator Dickson addressed the controversy surrounding the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amunpitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He clarified that despite some confusion over the nominee’s identity due to a mix-up with similarly named academics Amupitan’s nomination represents a significant milestone.
As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Amunpitan is the first lawyer of such status to be nominated for this prestigious position, according to Dickson.
The senator also pointed out that being in the opposition does not mean opposing every decision from the government.
Sen Dickson emphasised the importance of considering each issue on its merits. He expressed confidence that the Senate’s Electoral Committee would thoroughly vet Amunpitan’s nomination.
With Governor Diri’s defection to the APC, the political landscape in Bayelsa is undergoing a major shift.
However, Dickson’s steadfast loyalty to the PDP highlights ongoing divisions within the state’s political establishment.
Whether this rift will have lasting consequences for the PDP in Bayelsa remains uncertain.
