Residents of Bayelsa State on Monday, 30 March 2026, defied the heavy rains to show support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
The NDC witnessed a surge in membership in Bayelsa State as prominent politicians and thousands of their supporters formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties.
The National Leader of the NDC and Senator representing Bayelsa West in the Senate, while describing the turnout as massive and impressive, thanked the defectors and their supporters for braving the rain to align with what he described as Nigeria’s ideological party.
Among those who joined the NDC fold were High Chief Hon. Selekebina Saboh, a former stalwart of the APC and erstwhile Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, and Hon. Wilson Ayakpo Dauyegha, the APC’s senatorial candidate against Senator Dickson in the last election. Mr Dauyegha, who brought along party officials and an estimated 10,000 supporters.
Senator Dickson, in his remarks, commended the people of Ekeremor Local Government Area for opening their party secretariat and praised the elders, youths and women of Ofoni community for rallying behind the memory of their late illustrious son, the former Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
He also acknowledged the recent commissioning of secretariats in Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma LGAs, as well as the formal defection of Hon. Wisdom Fafi.
The former Bayelsa governor warned against the dangers of state capture, where a few individuals, their families and friends monopolise power and resources while the majority grapple with hardship.
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“No state in Nigeria should be allowed to perpetuate state-capture for the benefit of a few while the rest of the people wallow in hunger and anger in the midst of plenty,” he said. “Our country must not be left in the hands of those who seek to personalise power. The NDC is determined to change this paradigm.”
Senator Dickson reiterated that his brand of politics would remain focused on ideas, mobilisation and persuasion, urging supporters to shun violence and continue registering members across the country, including through the party’s online portal.
He called on Nigerians to reject what he termed a drift towards a one-party state and urged credible candidates to emerge to challenge those of other parties in future elections.
“Those who think the federal government will send soldiers, police, DSS, and INEC to write fake results, intimidate, kill, and maim will be disappointed again. We shall defeat them squarely,” he added.
The National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, led the party’s delegation that received the new members in Yenagoa.
The event, which drew large crowds despite a heavy downpour, underscored the growing momentum of the relatively new party.
