Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has openly criticized incumbent Governor Douye Diri, accusing him of handing over a traditional Peoples Democratic Party stronghold to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections. Dickson voiced his grievances during a political gathering in his hometown of Toru-Orua, located in Bayelsa State, where he was accompanied by prominent figures, including presidential candidate Peter Obi and the Director-General of the NDC National Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkarim.
The exchange highlights a deepening political schism within the southern regional chapter of the opposition party as political actors begin positioning themselves for upcoming electoral contests.
What led to the public fallout between the political figures?
The friction stems from allegations that Governor Diri compromised the party's foundational structure in the oil-rich state to secure personal political advantages for his administration's continuity. According to the former governor, the current leadership has betrayed the collective efforts of party stakeholders who originally facilitated his emergence into executive office.
"You have surrendered Bayelsa to APC. You have sold Bayelsa to APC and you will pay for it in 2027," Dickson stated during the visit, emphasizing that the region remains deeply rooted in the opposition platform.
How do stakeholders plan to resolve the internal crisis?
In response to the perceived defections and alignment shifts, Dickson announced that original party stakeholders, including loyalists associated with former President Goodluck Jonathan, are mobilizing to restructure the political machinery in the region. He maintained that the collective will of the electorate would resist any attempt to redirect the state's political affiliation.
"We gave you a PDP ticket, we made you governor twice. Now you want to give Bayelsa to APC. It will not work. We will reclaim Bayelsa in 2027," he declared.
This division has effectively split the regional political structure into distinct factions, drawing intense scrutiny from observers monitoring internal party dynamics across the federation as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.