Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has strongly criticized the recent wave of defections by opposition leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling it as a mockery of democracy. In a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Dickson reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating, “I am where I have always been.”
Dickson expressed his disapproval of the defections, stating that true democrats should focus on strengthening their parties rather than abandoning them during crises. “It’s sad. Instead of fixing the problems, they let the crisis fester and now they are bailing out. It makes Nigeria look small, ridicules our democracy, and endangers multiparty politics,” he remarked.
The senator revealed that Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa had consulted him before deciding to defect but emphasized that he saw no compelling reason to leave the PDP. Dickson highlighted the historical significance of the PDP, noting that it was the party that enabled his people to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He further stressed the critical importance of preserving the PDP for Nigeria’s democratic future. “If we fail to save the PDP, then we will decide collectively on the next step, but it certainly should not be joining the APC. A democracy without opposition becomes a dictatorship,” Dickson warned.
Dickson’s stance comes amidst a series of high-profile defections to the APC, which he believes undermines the multi-party system essential for a healthy democracy.
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