the Senator representing Bayelsa West and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dickson announced the move during a world press conference at his residence in Abuja, where he was formally received by the party’s leadership.

Why Dickson Left the PDP

The Senator offered a blunt assessment of his former party, citing long-standing internal instability:

• The “ICU” Metaphor: Dickson described the PDP as being in the “Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” stating that the party has become gravely ill and “shrunk” to the point where it can no longer accommodate many of its key members.
• Leadership Failure: He lamented that the ongoing leadership tussle and “irreconcilable differences” have crippled the party’s ability to act as a formidable opposition on national issues.
• One-Party State Warning: He accused some PDP governors of undermining the party by aligning with the ruling APC and warned that he is moving to the NDC to prevent Nigeria from drifting into a one-party state

The New Platform: Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

The NDC is one of two new political parties (the other being the Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA) officially registered by INEC in February 2026, bringing the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.

• Membership Card 001: During today’s ceremony, the Protem Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwogeh, presented Dickson with membership card 001, identifying him as a pioneering member.
• The Symbol: The party’s official symbol is the “victory sign.”
• The Mission: Dickson declared that the NDC will serve as the “credible alternative opposition” that Nigerians have been waiting for ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This move marks a significant fracture in the PDP’s traditional stronghold in the South-South. As a former two-term governor and influential senator, Dickson’s defection is expected to trigger a “domino effect” among his supporters and political associates in Bayelsa State and beyond.