Bayelsa APC Dismisses Senator Seriake Dickson’s Move To New NDC As A "Social Media" Trend With No Structural Threat

Bayelsa APC Chairman Warman Ogoriba reacts to Senator Dickson’s defection, claiming the new NDC party lacks the structure to challenge the APC.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 6:02 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

Dismissing The Electoral Viability Of The NDC

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally responded to the high-profile defection of Senator Seriake Dickson, the representative for Bayelsa West and a two-term former governor. Following Dickson’s exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday, the APC leadership in his home state has moved to neutralize the narrative of a shifting political tide. State Chairman Warman Ogoriba stated that the NDC does not pose a legitimate threat to the APC's dominance, framing the defection as more of a digital event than a structural reality.

The Critique Of Dickson’s ICU Analogy

During his formal resignation from the PDP, Senator Dickson offered a bleak diagnosis of his former party, describing it as being "in the ICU" (Intensive Care Unit) and plagued by internal sabotage. By taking the "001" membership card of the NDC, Dickson positioned himself as a pioneer of a movement intended to prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state. However, the APC has pushed back on this rhetoric, with Ogoriba arguing that political relevance is built through long-term grassroots organization rather than the rebranding of individual careers under new party banners.

Contrasting Political Structures In Bayelsa State

A central point of the APC’s rebuttal is the disparity in state-wide presence between the established parties and the newly formed NDC. Ogoriba emphasized that the APC remains a "people-centred party" with deep-seated structures across all local government areas in Bayelsa. He dismissed the potential impact of Dickson's move, suggesting that the Senator's influence may be overestimated in the modern electoral landscape. “We are not disturbed by what he said today," Ogoriba remarked, adding pointedly that "you don’t win an election on social media.”