Dickson Announces Defection from PDP, Declares Leadership of New Party NDC
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has formally notified the Senate of his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party he founded and now leads as its National Leader.
In a statement announcing the move, Dickson said the party has already begun recording “tremendous success” across the country despite being barely two weeks old.
According to him, the emerging political platform is attracting support from Nigerians who are seeking alternatives within the nation’s democratic space.
“I formally notified the Senate of my change of party affiliation from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, a party of which I am the Founder and National Leader,” the senator stated.
Dickson commended Nigerians for what he described as strong solidarity and growing confidence in the new party, while also praising both state and national officials of the NDC for their efforts in building the political movement.
He urged them to remain committed to the struggle for a vibrant multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
The Bayelsa lawmaker also called on Nigerians to participate actively in the party’s ongoing membership registration drive nationwide, noting that the NDC is determined to meet all requirements for political party registration.
“All political parties are currently carrying out their membership registrations, and we are determined to also meet the requirements, as the law does not stipulate a minimum number of registered party members,” he said.
Dickson further revealed that the NDC has already surpassed initial expectations in terms of public interest and participation.
“We are recording successes far beyond our expectations for a political party that is barely two weeks old,” he added.
The senator used the opportunity to invite Nigerians from different walks of life — including professionals, politicians, and citizens dissatisfied with the current political system — to join the party and contribute to building what he described as a viable and credible political platform.
He also extended an open invitation to groups and associations whose political platforms were not previously registered to align with the new party.
“The NDC is for us all,” Dickson concluded, while thanking Nigerians for their continued support and confidence in the emerging political movement.
