The senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and defected to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, announced his decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, citing what he described as “irreconcilable differences” within the PDP.
The lawmaker said his new political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, would provide a credible opposition capable of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.
According to him, the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission marks the beginning of a new political alternative for Nigerians seeking a stronger opposition.
He said, “Last week, INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria, known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and our symbol is the victory sign.
“My dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson expressed regret that the party did not emerge earlier, noting that the processes involved in its registration were beyond the control of its promoters.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We also don’t control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The former governor also reiterated his longstanding commitment to opposition politics, warning against attempts to entrench a one-party state in the country.
He said Nigeria’s diversity makes a competitive multiparty system essential for democratic stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically, and that is the beauty of our country.
“Anyone promoting a one-party system in Nigeria is not helping our democracy. Political parties exist to access power for the good of the people, not for personal benefits,” he added.
Meanwhile, INEC recently announced the registration of two new political parties — the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress — bringing the number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties for 2026.
Amupitan explained that while the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the commission’s verification process, the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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