By Truth Live News International Correspondent | Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Former Governor of Bayelsa State and influential Niger Delta political leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has returned to his home state in a politically significant visit accompanied by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, declaring that the emerging political movement is determined to reclaim Bayelsa State and challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The visit, which took place over the weekend, attracted an enthusiastic gathering of political stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths and supporters of the NDC.
Truth Live News International covered the political engagements in Bayelsa, where the former governor used the occasion to address growing political divisions within the state, his deteriorating relationship with Governor Douye Diri, and what he described as the continued marginalisation of the oil-rich Niger Delta by successive federal administrations.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was accompanied by Peter Obi and members of the NDC presidential campaign team, including the Director-General of the National Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkarim. Their arrival generated considerable political excitement among party supporters, who assembled at the airport before proceeding in a procession to the party’s state secretariat for its formal commissioning.
The former governor described the visit as his first substantial return to his ancestral community of Toru-Orua in some time, explaining that his political responsibilities surrounding the registration, organisation and expansion of the NDC had occupied much of his attention following the funeral of the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whom he described as a loyal brother, political associate and mentee.
Addressing party faithful and community leaders, Dickson expressed appreciation to the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, members of the National Working Committee, state executives, local government and ward chairmen, as well as candidates contesting various elective positions on the party’s platform. He particularly acknowledged the mobilisation efforts of the state campaign coordinator, Professor Opuala Charles, the State Elders’ Caucus Chairman, Dr Osusu, and the Bayelsa West Caucus Chairman, Elder Suru Oyarde.
The former governor also commended the party’s senatorial and National Assembly candidates alongside its 24 House of Assembly candidates, describing their participation as evidence of the growing political structure being established across Bayelsa ahead of the forthcoming elections.
One of the defining moments of the visit came when Dickson formally presented Peter Obi to the people of Bayelsa as the NDC’s presidential candidate, urging the electorate to support his ambition to lead Nigeria in 2027.
He expressed confidence that Obi would secure overwhelming electoral support in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta, insisting that Nigerians were increasingly searching for an alternative political platform capable of confronting economic hardship, institutional weaknesses and the persistent failure of governance.
According to Dickson, the NDC represents more than another political organisation seeking electoral victory. He described it as an ideological continuation of the Niger Delta’s historical struggle for political inclusion, social justice, equitable resource distribution and national development.
He recalled the contributions of prominent Niger Delta political figures, including Harold Dapabiriye, Chief Melford Okilo, Isaac Adaka Boro, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, whose political struggles, he maintained, helped shape the region’s contemporary identity.
Dickson explained that the philosophy underpinning the NDC was inspired by the conviction that the political and economic aspirations of the Niger Delta could best be advanced through cooperation with other regions of Nigeria.
He further disclosed that he had discussed the formation of the political movement with former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing the former Nigerian leader as an important father figure whose experience and political counsel remained significant.
“The NDC represents a long tradition of political leadership founded on the struggle for equity, justice and an inclusive Nigeria,” Dickson declared.
He maintained that the party’s political philosophy was anchored on building bridges of understanding among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities while defending the rights and legitimate aspirations of historically disadvantaged populations.
