By Truth Live News International Correspondent
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator Seriake Dickson has launched a blistering attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress, declaring that the party has failed the oil-rich state and the wider Niger Delta.
Speaking during political engagements in Yenagoa, Dickson accused the APC-led Federal Government of neglecting communities that produce a substantial share of Nigeria’s petroleum wealth. He pointed to the persistent absence of adequate roads, bridges and basic social services despite the region’s critical contribution to the national economy.
“The APC has nothing to offer Bayelsans; nothing to show in terms of roads and bridges and infrastructure,” Dickson declared.
Truth Live News International noted that he further criticised the inadequate representation of Bayelsa and the Niger Delta in senior civilian and military appointments, arguing that the region deserves greater recognition, investment and inclusion in national decision-making. The senator maintained that the political gains recorded in Bayelsa over the years were largely the product of Peoples Democratic Party administrations rather than the current ruling party, and urged voters to reject the APC at the polls.
The comments came as Dickson hosted activities for the nascent National Democratic Coalition (NDC), including the commissioning of the party’s state secretariat. The event drew regional stakeholders, among them Rivers State governorship candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs and South-South state chairmen. Dickson called on party executives and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation, build strong ward structures and take the NDC’s message into communities across the state.
He stressed that the 2027 elections must allow Nigerians to express their preferences freely, free from intimidation or the misuse of security agencies and electoral institutions. Those who claim popular support, he said, should prove it through transparent ballots rather than manipulation.
Cultural Homecoming in Toru-Orua
Beyond the political programme in the state capital, Dickson and his guests travelled to his ancestral community of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area for a colourful traditional reception. Traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, women and youths from Toru-Orua, Bolu-Orua, Toru-Angiama and neighbouring communities turned out in large numbers.
The highlight was an Ijaw traditional war-boat regatta staged in his honour. Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who accompanied Dickson, was invited to witness and participate in the display that celebrated the Ijaw people’s historic relationship with the waterways of the Niger Delta.
Dickson, who holds traditional titles across several Ijaw communities, thanked the Paramount Ruler of Toru-Orua and the people for the warm reception, describing the occasion as a reminder of the need to preserve indigenous heritage while fostering national unity.
Political Stakes Rising Ahead of 2027
The weekend’s activities showed the NDC’s ambition to build a cross-regional alliance linking the South-South and South-East as opposition forces seek to challenge the established order. For Dickson, the visit provided a platform both to reconnect with his base and to air long-standing grievances against Governor Douye Diri’s administration and the APC.
While his criticism was uncompromising, the former governor repeatedly emphasised peaceful participation and respect for democratic institutions. He urged Bayelsans to remain united in demanding accountable leadership and equitable development.
As political mobilisation gathers pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dickson’s renewed activism signals a potentially more competitive landscape in Bayelsa. The NDC must now convert the enthusiasm of the weekend into durable structures, while Governor Diri and the APC face an emerging challenge to their hold on the oil-rich state.
