Trouble trails NDC as party faces crisis in Dickson’s Bayelsa

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing a crisis of confidence in Bayelsa State, the home State of Seriake Dickson, the party’s national leader, following the defection of some key members in Sagbama Local Government Area.

The members led by Fyneman Wilson, who until his defection on Monday was a staunch ally of Dickson, have accused the former governor of taking unilateral decisions in the party, describing the NDC as a one-man party.

Wilson was a political Adviser to Dickson, while he was governor of Bayelsa State, but the bond between the two men appeared to be broken, as the former defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.

As he and his followers were received by Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, in Yenagoa, Wilson accused NDC of lacking internal democracy and that every decision was taken by Dickson.

He expressed displeasure over how the party treated his son, who he said defeated his opponent in the primary election, but that the result was overturned in favour of his rival.

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Wilson, who warned that there would be consequences if the party jettisoned internal democracy, tendered his resignation from the NDC last Friday.

He stated that he decided to join the APC to help the party win elections and promised to work assiduously for the success of his new party.

He said: “My son, Felix Wilson, contested the (House of Assembly) primary in NDC and he defeated Michael (Magbisa) hands down. I met with the chairman, managing director and national leader of NDC and he told me he would look into it.

“He came to my house and first condoled with me over the demise of my son. I told him to go straight to the point, that my son won the primary election and if he is not declared the winner, I would leave the party.

“The NDC is a one-man show, and it is heading nowhere.”

In separate remarks, some of the leaders of the defectors, including Felix Wilson, Victor Egba and Egbuson Clement, all described the NDC, as a one-man party and expressed delight to be part of the APC while promising to work for the victory of the ruling party.

Receiving the defectors, Diri described Wilson as an encyclopedia and a father whose experience in politics will prove valuable to the APC in the 2027 elections and beyond.

Represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, Diri said the APC is a democratic party that is fair and just to its members, citing the recent rancour-free congresses and primaries in the state as a testament to its democratic credentials.

He stressed that the APC would continue to engage people constructively on the need to join what he called the winning team, saying the decision to dump the NDC for the APC was well thought out.

He said: “Let me appreciate and recognise our father, Chief Fyneman Wilson, who can be rightly described as an encyclopedia. His level of experience in politics is rare, and we recognise your presence for being with us where you are supposed to be.

“This day has gone down in the history of Bayelsa State. You have all done what is right. APC is the right place to be. As much as possible, there is inclusivity in the party.

“There were a lot of engagements. All interests were put together during the congresses and primaries to enable the party to have the synergy to move together.

“I join the party leadership to say welcome to your party. Together we will work for the success of all our candidates in the 2027 elections.”

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Earlier, Peremobowei Ebebi, a former deputy governor of the state, said with the coming of Wilson, his son and other followers, the APC will coast to victory in Sagbama and Bayelsa West in the 2027 general election.

Also, Akwakwa Akwakwa, APC Vice Chairman in Bayelsa West, welcomed the defectors, describing their decision to join the party as the best.

Michael Ogbara, representing Ogbia Constituency 3 in the state House of Assembly, equally expressed delight at the calibre of politicians joining the APC, assuring that their interest will be protected in their new party.