Dickson Slams Diri For Surrendering Bayelsa to APC, Reveals 2027 Plans
National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has accused Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri of handing over the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the former Bayelsa State governor, the ruling party has little to offer the people of the Niger Delta.
Dickson also expressed confidence that the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would win Bayelsa State, the entire Niger Delta region and the country in the January 16, 2027 general election.
The former governor made the remarks during a political visit to his home state and community, Toru-Orua, alongside Obi, the Director-General of the NDC National Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkarim, and other party leaders.
In a statement on social media, Dickson accused Diri, whom he said he supported and helped bring to power, of abandoning the political platform that produced his administration and aligning with the APC.
He alleged that the governor’s decision had turned him and other political associates who helped establish the current government into opposition members in the state.
Dickson, however, described Diri as his brother and compatriot, stressing that their disagreement was over the political direction of Bayelsa rather than a personal dispute.
“The governor is still my person, my brother, my compatriot and our governor. But he is now someone I disagree with, as he and the people in his government are wrong with the direction they are taking our state to,” he said.
The senator also claimed that the APC had never defeated him politically or won Bayelsa State through the ballot, boasting that he had prevented the party from taking control of the state since 2015.
“The APC never defeated me and they have never won Bayelsa on the ballot. I have been the obstacle stopping them from winning Bayelsa since 2015, even with the defeat of the PDP at the centre,” Dickson stated.
He accused the ruling party of failing to provide meaningful development to Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta, particularly in the areas of roads, bridges, infrastructure and federal government projects.
According to him, the APC has not demonstrated that it has anything substantial to offer the people of the region, adding that his opposition to the party was based on what he described as its failure to provide tangible development and adequate political representation for the Niger Delta.
Dickson said the NDC was committed to building an inclusive Nigeria founded on equity and justice, insisting that the interests of the Niger Delta must be protected alongside those of other regions.
He also alleged that some of his supporters had faced intimidation, harassment and dismissal from political appointments because of their political affiliations.
Although he did not provide specific details of the alleged incidents, the former governor said he had deliberately avoided making extensive public comments on developments in Bayelsa to prevent political tension and preserve peace.
However, he urged his supporters and other residents of the state to make their political positions known ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dickson appealed to party members to avoid violence, threats and verbal attacks against political opponents, while encouraging them to mobilise voters across their communities and constituencies.
He also warned against any attempt by security personnel or electoral officials to interfere with the electoral process, insisting that voters must be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidates.
“Those who claim to be popular should test that popularity at the polls and allow the votes to count,” he said.
Dickson also thanked the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, members of the National Working Committee, state and local government executives, ward chairmen and other party stakeholders for participating in the visit.
The delegation commissioned the party’s state secretariat in Yenagoa before proceeding to Dickson’s country home in Toru-Orua, where they were received by traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, youths, women and other residents.
The visit featured cultural performances, including an Ijaw traditional war boat regatta organised in Dickson’s honour.
During the boat procession, some young boatmen reportedly offered Obi the last available life jacket, with Dickson insisting that the presidential candidate should wear it, referring to the expectations of millions of Nigerians.
The cultural outing was followed by a community dinner hosted by Dickson, who reportedly described Obi as a ‘gift from heaven’ and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting his presidential ambition.
The former governor also used the occasion to recall his role in Diri’s emergence as governor, explaining that his decision to support the succession arrangement was informed by the need to sustain Ijaw political leadership and promote fairness among communities in Bayelsa.
He alleged that the state’s political realignment towards the APC had undermined the sacrifices made by him and other political associates to establish the existing political structure.
Dickson further called on Bayelsans to honour the contributions of prominent figures associated with the Niger Delta struggle and the political development of the region.
Among those he mentioned were Harold Dapabiriye, former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the late Chief Melford Okilo, Isaac Adaka Boro and the late Pa Edwin Clark.
