Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator Seriake Dickson has accused his successor, Governor Douye Diri, of betraying the political movement that brought him to power by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dickson made the allegation following his homecoming to Bayelsa State over the weekend, during which the state secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was inaugurated.
The NDC national leader said Diri’s decision to join the APC amounted to handing over the state’s political structure to a party he claimed had never won Bayelsa through the ballot.
Dickson recalled that Diri had occupied several political positions under his leadership, including Executive Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, member of the House of Representatives and senator, before succeeding him as governor.
He said he had supported Diri’s emergence to sustain Ijaw political leadership and promote fairness among the state’s different local government areas.
According to the former governor, Diri’s defection had turned members of the political structure they built together into opposition figures in an administration they worked hard to establish.
Dickson also accused the governor’s administration of engaging in propaganda, blackmail and victimization, while expressing disappointment that the APC-led Federal Government had allegedly failed to deliver sufficient infrastructure and political representation to Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta.
Despite his criticism, the senator described Diri as his brother and compatriot, insisting that their disagreement was over the political direction of the state. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid personal attacks.
Diri’s camp refuses to engage
An aide to Governor Diri said the governor would not respond to Dickson’s allegations, insisting that the administration was focused on governance rather than political exchanges.
“The governor doesn’t want to respond to him. That’s just the truth,” the aide said, adding that Bayelsans would ultimately judge the government by its performance.
Meanwhile, the governor’s Technical Adviser on General Duties, Miriki Ebikibina, criticized Dickson’s remarks, urging the former governor to exercise restraint and maintain the dignity expected of a former chief executive and serving senator.
Ebikibina also questioned Dickson’s criticism in light of the political support and opportunities he had received throughout his career.
The dispute highlights the growing political tension in Bayelsa as former allies take opposing positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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