Senator Dickson Welcomes Former Rivals into NDC Fold, Citing Shifting Party Loyalties

Sen. Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, officially welcomed defectors from the African Democratic Congress, the Social Democratic Party, and the Labour Party in the FCT on Friday.

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Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, noted that the increasing number of defectors indicated a significant shift in the country's political landscape, a trend he discussed with journalists in Abuja after the reception.

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The former Bayelsa governor confirmed that the Social Democratic Party's entire leadership structure in the FCT had joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, describing this development as both symbolic and strategic.

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Dickson stated that the entire Social Democratic Party structure in the FCT, including the state chairman, FCT chairman, executives, local government, and ward chairmen, had defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress and been fully integrated into the party.

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According to Dickson, this phenomenon was not unique to the FCT, but rather part of a broader national shift, with similar developments occurring in other states, which would become apparent at the right time.

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Dickson emphasized that the Nigeria Democratic Congress was built on principles of inclusivity and national cohesion, offering a platform that transcended ethnic, religious, or regional biases.

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The party's goal, he said, was to create a new Nigeria driven by service, unity, development, and peace, where power was utilized for the greater good, and he stressed that this movement was open to all Nigerians without discrimination.

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The event also marked the formal defection of prominent Abuja politician Amanda Pam, whose entry into the Nigeria Democratic Congress was met with enthusiasm from party members.

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Pam, a former Deputy National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, explained that her decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress followed extensive consultations with stakeholders across Abuja, who believed the party offered the right direction.

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She highlighted her past contributions to healthcare development in the FCT, including the construction of several hospitals and rural health centres during her tenure as Mandate Secretary on Health.

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Pam expressed confidence in the party's electoral prospects, stating that Abuja voters were ready for change and would overwhelmingly support the Nigeria Democratic Congress if given the opportunity.

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Earlier, the NDC FCT leader, Alhaji Haruna Pai, described Pam as a formidable grassroots mobiliser with longstanding political influence in the territory, expecting her to bring her strength to the party.