Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has dismissed reports suggesting that he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress, describing the claims as false and misleading.
Dickson refuted the speculation in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Ajiri Daniels, stressing that he “remains firmly in the PDP” and has not joined any other political party.
According to the statement, the Bayelsa lawmaker is currently observing a period of mourning following the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and has consequently withdrawn from active political engagements.
“Dickson is presently in mourning following the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“As a mark of respect, he has since stepped back from political activities during this period and has been busy receiving condolence visits from friends, political leaders, allies and well-wishers from across the country,” the statement noted.
It noted that the visitors cut across political leaders from different parties and individuals from various walks of life.
While acknowledging that he remains keenly interested in political developments, the statement said Dickson assured that after the burial, he would consult widely with friends and political allies across the country before making any political decision, which would be formally announced.
“In the meantime, he remains a key leader in the PDP and hopes that the party will get its act right, given its legacy contributions to Nigerian politics,” it added.
The senator urged members of the public, PDP supporters and party faithful to disregard the defection claims, describing them as fake news deliberately circulated to misinform Nigerians.
He advised them to rely only on information from his verified communication channels.
Speculation over Dickson’s political future had intensified in recent weeks amid the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP. Before his death, the late Ewhrudjakpo and Dickson were widely rumoured to be considering a possible exit from the opposition party.
Dickson, a former PDP National Chairman and a vocal critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress, has remained one of the most outspoken opposition voices in the Senate, frequently challenging government policies and actions on the floor of the Red Chamber.
The rumours were further fuelled after Ewhrudjakpo reportedly declined to follow his principal, Governor Douye Diri, who defected to the APC on November 3.
Both men were believed in some political circles to have initiated talks with the ADC as a possible platform — Dickson for a possible return to the Senate and Ewhrudjakpo for a governorship bid.
However, Dickson’s latest clarification appears to have put to rest, at least for now, claims that he has abandoned the PDP.
