By Julius Peter

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has declared that the party is poised for a sweeping victory in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta and across Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.

Dickson made the declaration during a homecoming visit to Bayelsa State, where he was accompanied by the NDC presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and members of the party’s National Campaign Council.

The visit, which took place on Friday, October 30, 2026, included a reception at the NDC state secretariat, the commissioning of the party’s state headquarters and a visit to Dickson’s country home in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area.

The former governor, who said it was his first visit to his home state and community in a long while since the funeral of the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, explained that his absence was largely due to his involvement in the registration and development of the NDC.

He expressed delight at having Obi accompany him throughout the day and evening, describing the visit as an important opportunity to introduce the party’s presidential candidate to the people of Bayelsa and strengthen the party’s political structure in the state.

Dickson, in a statement recounting the visit, thanked the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, members of the National Working Committee, the state executive committee, local government and ward chairmen, party elders and supporters for their participation.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Chairman of the State Elders’ Caucus, Dr Osusu; Bayelsa West Caucus Chairman, Elder Suru Oyarde; State Campaign Coordinator, Professor Opuala Charles; and other party leaders and members.

The former governor particularly appreciated the party’s senatorial and National Assembly candidates, as well as its 24 House of Assembly candidates, for mobilising supporters to receive the delegation at the airport and accompany it to the party secretariat.

He described the crowd at the secretariat as overwhelming, adding that the state party headquarters was subsequently commissioned as part of efforts to consolidate the NDC’s presence in Bayelsa.

The delegation later proceeded to Toru-Orua, where Dickson was received by traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, women, youths and residents of several communities.

He expressed appreciation to the people of Sagbama, Bolu-Orua, Toru-Angiama and other communities along the route for their warm reception and gifts.

Among those who joined the visit were the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Director-General of the National Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkarim; Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs; South-South state chairmen and other party leaders from neighbouring states.

Addressing party members and residents during the visit, Dickson formally introduced Obi as the NDC presidential candidate and urged Bayelsans to support him and vote for all candidates of the party in the 2027 elections.

He expressed confidence that Obi would secure victory in Bayelsa, insisting that the NDC had the political strength and historical foundation to win massively across the state, the Niger Delta and the country.

The former governor called on party members to take the NDC message to their respective communities and constituencies, assuring them that he would personally participate in the party’s campaigns.

He also urged members to remain united, mobilise supporters and work towards ensuring that the votes of Nigerians count during the forthcoming elections.

Dickson called for a minute of silence in honour of the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whom he described as a loyal brother and mentee.

He disclosed that he had discussed the idea of establishing the NDC with Ewhrudjakpo after making the decision to form the party, adding that he had also discussed the political initiative with President Goodluck Jonathan.

The former governor further said he had advised the incumbent Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, against defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dickson used the occasion to criticise the APC-led Federal Government, accusing it of failing to deliver meaningful infrastructure and development to Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta despite the enormous resources generated from the region.

He argued that the people of Bayelsa had yet to receive the level of federal attention, infrastructure, appointments and development commensurate with their contributions to the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the APC has little or nothing to show in terms of roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure in the state and the region.

He maintained that successive development projects in Bayelsa were largely delivered under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the APC had failed to provide tangible benefits to the people since assuming power at the federal level.

Dickson also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate representation of the Niger Delta in important federal appointments and positions, including civil and military establishments.

He therefore urged Bayelsans to reject the APC at the polls, arguing that the region needed a political platform capable of defending its interests and advancing its development.

The former governor also called on the people of Bayelsa and the younger generation to preserve the political legacy of prominent Niger Delta leaders who fought for justice, equity, inclusion and the advancement of the region.

He specifically mentioned Harold Dapabiriye, founder of the pre-independence Niger Delta Congress; the late Chief Melford Okilo, whom he described as the first pre-independence House of Representatives member elected on the NDC platform; Isaac Adaka Boro; former Bayelsa Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and the late elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark.

Dickson said the NDC represented a continuation of the political tradition established by these leaders, stressing that the party’s philosophy was rooted in the struggle for equity, justice and an inclusive Nigeria.

He noted that the political vision of the region’s founding leaders was not limited to advancing Niger Delta interests but also involved building bridges of trust, understanding and cooperation with other parts of the country.

According to him, this is the tradition he has inherited and considers it his responsibility to sustain for the benefit of present and future generations.

He urged young Nigerians, particularly those from the Niger Delta, to embrace politics as a platform for service, sacrifice and the collective advancement of society.

In one of the most politically significant aspects of his address, Dickson revisited the circumstances surrounding his decision to support Governor Douye Diri as his successor in Bayelsa State.

He explained that his succession decision was influenced by the peculiar political and developmental challenges confronting the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

According to him, there was an understanding that the government succeeding his administration should remain under the leadership of someone with roots in the Ijaw struggle and sufficient political experience to defend the interests of the people.

He said another important consideration was the need to promote fairness and inclusiveness among the various communities in Bayelsa, irrespective of their voting strength.

Dickson disclosed that these considerations informed his decision to support Diri, whom he described as a political associate he had nurtured over several years.

He recalled that Diri had served in different capacities, including Principal Executive Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, member of the House of Representatives and senator, before becoming governor.

The former governor maintained that Diri’s emergence was the outcome of a political process he personally supported and worked towards.

However, Dickson expressed disappointment over the governor’s subsequent decision to defect to the APC, describing it as a betrayal of the political struggle and sacrifices that brought the administration to power.

Dickson strongly criticised the political developments in Bayelsa since Diri’s defection to the APC, alleging that the state government had abandoned the political structure that facilitated its emergence.

He described the development as the surrender of a hard-won political victory to the APC, insisting that Bayelsa had effectively become an opposition-controlled political environment for those who worked to establish the administration.

According to him, the political transition has been characterised by what he described as pettiness, wickedness, propaganda, deceit, blackmail, envy and greed.

He alleged that people who contributed to the emergence of the current administration had been dismissed from appointments, victimised and economically disadvantaged because of their political differences with the government.

Dickson said he had deliberately refrained from commenting extensively on the matter for a long period because of his concern for peace and stability in Bayelsa State.

He explained that his decision to remain away from the political activities of the government was intended to avoid unnecessary interference and prevent the kind of political crises experienced in some other states.

He, however, said the time had come for him and his supporters to make their political positions clear ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former governor insisted that the APC had never defeated him politically in Bayelsa, claiming that he had remained a major obstacle to the party’s electoral fortunes in the state since 2015.

He accused Diri of aligning with the APC-led Federal Government without securing corresponding benefits for Bayelsa and its people.

Despite his criticism, Dickson appealed to his supporters not to turn their political disagreements into personal hostility.

He emphasised that the governor remained his brother, compatriot and leader of the state, even though they now disagreed politically over the direction of Bayelsa.

“As I said, children may deny their father, but fathers do not deny children,” he stated, reaffirming that his differences with Diri should not be interpreted as a call for personal attacks or hostility.

He urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid threatening, abusing or attacking anyone on account of political affiliations.

Dickson also called on the security agencies and electoral officials to ensure a credible electoral process in 2027, warning against intimidation and unlawful interference with the will of voters.

He urged the NDC’s supporters to organise themselves at the grassroots and resist any attempt to undermine the electoral process through intimidation or manipulation.

According to him, politicians who claim to enjoy popular support should be prepared to demonstrate their popularity through the ballot box rather than resorting to coercion.

He called on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that all political parties and candidates enjoy a level playing field during the elections.

The former governor maintained that his political engagement had always been driven by the desire to defend the rights of the Niger Delta people and other oppressed communities across Nigeria.

He said the NDC was working towards building a country that serves the interests of every region and every Nigerian, stressing that the development of the Niger Delta should not be viewed as being against the interests of other parts of the country.

“There is nothing good for our people that is bad for Nigeria,” he said, reiterating his commitment to a more inclusive and equitable federation.

Beyond the political engagements, the visit also featured colourful displays of Ijaw cultural heritage, with traditional rulers, youths, women and community groups organising a memorable reception for the visitors.

One of the major highlights was the traditional Ijaw war boat regatta organised by the communities in honour of Dickson, during which Peter Obi was invited to participate.

Dickson expressed delight at the opportunity to showcase the rich cultural traditions of the Ijaw people to the NDC presidential candidate.

He commended the communities and young warriors who participated in the regatta, describing the cultural display as an important demonstration of the people’s identity, history and heritage.

The former governor, who noted his longstanding appreciation of Nigeria’s cultural diversity and traditional institutions, said he was particularly pleased by the traditional performances and hospitality extended to the delegation.

He also acknowledged the traditional titles bestowed on him by communities across Ijaw land, from Arogbo in Ondo State to Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State, as well as other communities across Nigeria.

Dickson concluded by thanking the Paramount Ruler of Toru-Orua, chiefs, elders, youths, women, party faithful, security agencies, musicians and media organisations that contributed to the success of the visit.

He described the reception as a demonstration of the political enthusiasm and cultural solidarity of the people of Bayelsa, expressing confidence that the NDC would build on the momentum as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.