PDP: Senator Dickson Claims Defectors Are Fleeing the Chaos They Caused

Table of Contents

1. Accusation of Defection
2. Support for INEC Chairman Nomination
3. Beliefs on Democracy
4. Thoughts on Professor Amupitan

Former Bayelsa State governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has accused certain governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other leaders who are defecting from the party of escaping the problems they created.

Senator Dickson, responding to the defection of the current governor of his state, Douye Diri, after Wednesday's Senate plenary in Abuja, expressed his support for the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Although he acknowledged that Governor Diri consulted him multiple times regarding his decision to leave the PDP, Dickson stated he was never convinced, as there was no strong reason for a second-term governor to defect.

According to him, Nigeria, as a diverse society, deserves a functional and vibrant multiparty democracy rather than a single-party system that fosters dictatorship and authoritarianism.

He stated: “I am where I have always been. I firmly believe that Nigeria should not become a one-party state. As a proponent of democracy, I am accustomed to the fluctuations of democratic processes and political life, and I remain steadfast like the northern star.

“I am committed to the Peoples Democratic Party and am collaborating with my colleagues and friends to address the challenges within the party.

“I hope that the governors and the leadership committee who created this turmoil in our party, instead of demonstrating leadership, have allowed this situation to persist for so long.

“They are now fleeing after causing problems that they could not or refused to resolve. It is truly disheartening. It diminishes Nigeria and makes our democracy appear trivial.

“We do not fully understand what they are pursuing or what is pursuing them. However, whatever it is, it undermines our democracy and threatens our multiparty system.

“I advocate for a multiparty Nigeria. A diverse Nigeria can only prosper within a pluralistic democratic framework. That has been the case. Regarding Bayelsa, since I stepped down and entrusted leadership to all the members of my previous team, I have not acted as a godfather. I left everything behind with no requests, no demands, and no pressure—only being available for consultation and advice.

“In this instance, the governor consulted me several times, which I commend. However, I was not convinced since I saw no compelling reason for a second-term governor to leave.

“I want to emphasize that I remain committed to the PDP, which has provided my people (the Ijaw Nation) and the Niger Delta the opportunity to participate in elections and to ascend to the positions of vice president, acting president, and president of Nigeria.

“This other party cannot offer that. I stand with the PDP. If we are unable to restore the PDP, we will collectively decide on the next steps, which should not involve joining the ruling party.

“I believe that there must be an opposition. A democracy without opposition ceases to be a democracy.”

Regarding Amupitan, he expressed that President Tinubu has made an excellent choice and he will fully support his confirmation whenever the Senate reviews his nomination.

“I will cast my vote in favor of his nomination. As a member of the Electoral Committee and the Senate, I will collaborate with my colleagues to ensure that the electoral reforms we advocate are realized, and that Professor Amupitan is confirmed as Chairman of INEC.

“We expect him, as a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria—the first senior advocate to be nominated—to recognize his historical significance.”