Dickson slams Diri’s defection to APC, says move threatens Nigeria’s democracy

Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State and current senator representing Bayelsa West, has condemned the defection of Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a dangerous trend that could push Nigeria toward a one-party system.

Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, Dickson reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, insisting he has no plans to leave the opposition party. He said he remains “a soldier of democracy” committed to strengthening Nigeria’s multiparty system.

“I am where I have always been,” Dickson declared. “I don’t believe Nigeria should become a one-party state. As a democrat, I understand the ups and downs of politics, but I remain constant and steadfast in the PDP.”

The senator’s comments came shortly after the announcement that Governor Diri had resigned from the PDP and joined the ruling APC, alongside 19 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Diri’s defection, which has sparked mixed reactions across political circles, marks another major blow to the PDP, already struggling with internal divisions and a wave of defections in recent months.

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Dickson, who governed Bayelsa between 2012 and 2020, criticized Diri and other PDP governors who, according to him, have contributed to the party’s problems by failing to provide effective leadership. He accused them of allowing internal crises to fester instead of addressing them.

“It’s sad,” he said. “Instead of fixing the problems within the PDP, they let the crisis grow and now they’re jumping ship. It makes Nigeria look small, ridicules our democracy, and endangers multiparty politics. What we are witnessing is political class suicide.”

He further revealed that Governor Diri had personally consulted him several times before his decision to dump the PDP but said he found no convincing reason for the move.

“To his credit, he came to me and explained his position,” Dickson said. “But I didn’t see any compelling reason to defect. I’m still standing where I have always stood with the PDP, the party that gave my people the opportunity to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The APC cannot offer that.”

Dickson emphasized that he remains loyal to the PDP, not just out of sentiment but because he believes the party represents Nigeria’s best chance of maintaining a healthy democratic balance.

He warned that Nigeria’s democracy faces serious danger if opposition parties continue to weaken through defections. According to him, the rise of a dominant political party could silence dissenting voices and lead to authoritarian rule.

“If we fail to save the PDP,” Dickson continued, “then we will sit down and collectively decide the next step. But it certainly should not be joining the APC. A democracy without opposition becomes a dictatorship.”

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The senator also accused some politicians of abandoning principles for personal gain, saying many defections are driven by self-interest rather than ideology or the desire to serve the people. He noted that while political disagreements are normal, loyalty and consistency are essential for building strong democratic institutions.

“Politics shouldn’t just be about jumping from one party to another whenever things get tough,” he said. “We must learn to stand for something. If we don’t, we risk turning politics into a marketplace where loyalty and ideology mean nothing.”

Dickson’s criticism adds to the growing tension within the PDP following Governor Diri’s defection. Political analysts say his exit could reshape the political landscape in Bayelsa, a state long regarded as a PDP stronghold.

Many observers believe Diri’s move may have been influenced by the ruling APC’s increasing control of political structures across the country, as well as the perceived weakening of the PDP’s national leadership.

However, Dickson insists that the PDP can still recover if its leaders show courage and commitment. He called on party members to remain united, rebuild trust, and prepare for future elections.

“The PDP is not dead,” he said. “We have survived worse times before. What we need now is focus, discipline, and genuine leadership. We must rebuild from within and show Nigerians that we are still the party that believes in fairness, equity, and justice.”

He also appealed to Nigerians to resist the temptation of supporting a one-party system, warning that such a political structure would eventually erode democratic freedoms.

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“Opposition is not an enemy of the government,” Dickson said. “It is a necessary part of democracy. Once we silence the opposition, we silence accountability. And when accountability dies, democracy follows.”

As the political drama in Bayelsa unfolds, many are watching to see how Diri’s defection will affect the balance of power in the state and the future of the PDP in Nigeria’s South-South region.

For now, Dickson says he will continue to work within the PDP, promoting democratic ideals and resisting what he describes as the “gradual slide toward one-party dominance.”

“History will remember those who stood firm when it mattered most,” he concluded. “For me, this is not just about politics, it’s about protecting the soul of our democracy.”