Seriake Dickson, Senator representing Bayelsa West, has kicked against the wave of defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, after plenary on Wednesday, Dickson said he remained committed to the PDP.
He said the governors defecting were making mockery of democracy.
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Recall that Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno; Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, have all dumped the PDP for the APC.
Daily Trust reports that barely 24 hours after Governor Mbah announced his defection to the APC, Bayelsa Sate governor, Duoye Diri, dumped the PDP.
Reacting to Diri’s action, Dickson said, “I am where I have always been. I don’t believe Nigeria should become a one-party state. As a democrat, I understand the ups and downs of the process, but I remain constant and steadfast in the PDP.
“It’s sad. Instead of fixing the problems, they let the crisis fester and now they are bailing out. It makes Nigeria look small, ridicules our democracy and endangers multiparty politics. What we are witnessing is political class suicide.
“To his credit, he consulted me, but I didn’t see any compelling reason to defect. I’m still standing where I have always stood, with the PDP, the party that gave my people the opportunity to produce a Vice President, an acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic. The APC cannot offer that.
“If we fail to save the PDP, then we will decide collectively on the next step, but it certainly should not be joining the APC. A democracy without opposition becomes a dictatorship.”
Dickson who described himself as soldier of democracy, said he is committed to strengthening multiparty politics in Nigeria.
He disclosed that Governor Diri had consulted him on several occasions before defecting, but that he was not convinced by the reasons presented.
Dickson, a two-term governor of Bayelsa, handed over to Diri.