A large-scale defection of politicians across the eight local governments of Bayelsa State to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in the state.

The NDC, with Bayelsa-born politician Senator Moses Cleopas as national chairman, is believed to be backed by former governor of Bayelsa State and senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Though Bayelsa governor, Senator Douye Diri, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2025, several grassroots politicians, including his late former deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and three lawmakers in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, refused to defect.

In the past few days, Dickson has met with a former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, and several politicians from Bayelsa, especially those from Bayelsa West and East.

Dickson also met with leaders of Bayelsa West, led by the PDP caucus chairman, Hon Fyneman Wilson, Dr Osusu and Hon Ball Oyarede.

The former governor further met with the pro-tem chairman of the NDC in Bayelsa, Hon Dauprebo Ikuromo, and members of the interim executive council, namely Dr Pabara Igwele (state deputy chairman), Hon Tesufa Alex Dumbo (state secretary) and Prince Mac-Ake (publicity secretary).

He has also met with a former commissioner for finance in Bayelsa, Prof Opuala Charles, and Chief Williams, both from Nembe in Bayelsa East.

Dickson, while disclosing details of the meeting on his verified Facebook page, stated that he has enjoined all the political leaders from Bayelsa to brace themselves for the new challenge.

“I enjoined them to put in their very best to build a strong, grassroots-based party and movement that will give our people a voice and a face in a peaceful and non-violent manner, with effective grassroots connection and mobilisation, which is my political style.

“I further enjoined them to propagate the ideals and vision of the party and to do so in a non-violent, respectful and decent manner to all, as we are all brothers and sisters who have been compelled by circumstances to be on different platforms, and that is normal in a multiparty democracy. I call for collaboration and support for all of them and the various teams that will be set up across all the wards and LGAs in Bayelsa State.”

Dickson, on Wednesday afternoon, hinted at an important press conference where he is expected to address his political future.

Investigations revealed that several politicians who served with Dickson but have been sidelined by the Douye Diri-led administration are to defect to the NDC.

Also expected to defect en masse are kinsmen of Ewhrudjakpo, in line with his last political stance not to defect to the APC. (The Sun)