Senator Henry Serieke Dickson (Bayelsa-West PDP)
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has declared unwavering support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), distancing himself from the recent resignation of Governor Douye Diri from the party.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, just hours after Gov. Diri publicly announced his departure from the PDP during a cabinet meeting in Yenagoa, Dickson reiterated that he remains solidly committed to the party that shaped his political journey.
> “I am still standing with the PDP,” he said. “This is the party that gave Bayelsa people, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta region the platform to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and a President of Nigeria.”
Sen. Dickson, who is the current lawmaker representing Bayelsa West, stressed that democracy thrives on a healthy opposition, warning that the absence of alternative voices would be dangerous for the country.
> “If we don’t succeed in rescuing the PDP, in preserving it, we’ll eventually have to make a collective decision—but certainly not to join the ruling party,” he said.
“Democracy without opposition becomes dictatorship. The very essence of democracy disappears the moment dissenting voices are silenced.”
Why I supported Tinubu’s INEC Chairman nominee
The Senator also addressed the recent nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offering his backing based on legal merit.
> “Supporting the President’s nominee doesn’t mean I’m abandoning opposition,” he explained. “It’s a constitutional duty of the President to submit the name, and based on the merits of the nomination, I believe Prof. Amupitan is worthy.”
Dickson emphasized that while he remains in opposition politically, his actions are guided by principle, not partisanship.
> “Opposition doesn’t mean fighting every move. If something is constitutionally sound and in the interest of the country, it should be supported.”
Reflecting on his motivation for public service, the former governor said his commitment to politics is rooted in service, not self-interest.
> “I’m not in politics for personal gains. I’m here to pursue values and ideals that are bigger than any one of us — ideals that uphold democracy and protect the rights of the people.”
Dickson expressed hope that the INEC nominee, if confirmed, would pursue reforms that strengthen electoral integrity and transparency.
> “With the right support, I believe he can initiate the much-needed reforms within INEC and the broader electoral process.”
