Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, prepares to make what he has described as a “major announcement” regarding his political future.

The planned declaration, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, has already stirred intense speculation across the country’s political space.

The former Bayelsa State governor is widely believed to be on the verge of leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a political platform he has long been associated with.

However, the anticipated announcement could formally confirm his defection to another party as political alignments gradually begin to shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson disclosed on Wednesday that he would address journalists and the public during a press conference set for 2:00 pm on Thursday. The announcement is expected to clarify his next political steps and the platform through which he intends to pursue his future ambitions.

In a brief message posted on his verified X account, the senator hinted that the statement would focus on broader issues affecting the country’s democratic direction and the future of his constituents.

He wrote, “A Major Announcement is Coming!!! Tomorrow, Thursday, 5th March 2026, at 2:00 PM. I will be making an important statement at a Press Conference addressing the future of our people and our democracy.

“Stay tuned. Be ready. Be part of the moment. #NDC #NigeriaPolitics #2027Elections.”

Although Dickson did not openly state the nature of the announcement, the hashtags attached to the post have fuelled speculation that he may be aligning with the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Political watchers believe the NDC could emerge as a fresh opposition platform ahead of the 2027 polls. The party was recently registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has begun attracting attention within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Sources familiar with the development suggest that Dickson may be considering the new platform as a way to strengthen opposition politics in Bayelsa State, particularly following recent changes in the state’s political structure.

The speculation gained momentum after Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri reportedly left the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that significantly altered the balance of power in the oil-rich state.

With the PDP’s structure in Bayelsa facing uncertainty, Dickson’s expected departure could further reshape political alliances as leaders begin repositioning ahead of the next election cycle.

Efforts to obtain clarification from the senator’s camp were unsuccessful. His media aide, Ajiri Daniel, declined to comment on the matter when contacted, insisting that the senator would personally address all issues during the scheduled press conference.

“Let us not be in a hurry. Senator Dickson will address whatever questions you will raise at the press conference tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress is among the political parties recently cleared by the electoral commission to operate in the country. The registration followed a review of numerous applications submitted by political associations seeking recognition.

Political analysts say the emergence of new parties could play a major role in shaping the political contest leading up to 2027, particularly in states where opposition figures are seeking alternatives to existing party structures.

Dickson has remained one of the most outspoken critics of the APC government in the Senate and has consistently advocated for stronger democratic institutions.

His influence in Bayelsa politics, built during his tenure as governor, continues to make him a prominent figure in the state.

Reactions have also begun trailing the development on social media, with supporters and critics expressing mixed opinions about his expected move.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has expressed shock and deep sorrow over the sudden death of its newly elected Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Karamo Yesiro.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Yesiro’s passing came barely 24 hours after his re-election as the party’s assistant publicity secretary at the Lagos State APC Congress held at Onikan Stadium.

The deceased was expected to be part of the newly elected Lagos State APC executives meant to be inaugurated at the party’s secretariat on Thursday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the party described Mr Yesiro’s passing as a painful and tragic loss.

Mr Oladejo said that the late party chieftain died shortly after being entrusted with the responsibility of serving in the State Executive Council.

“The Lagos State Chapter of the APC received with profound shock and deep sorrow the news of the sudden demise of our newly elected Assistant Publicity Secretary, Hon. Karamo Yesiro.

“Yesiro’s death came at a time when his energy, commitment and passion for progressive politics were most needed.

“Having just been entrusted with the responsibility of serving in the State Executive Council, he embodied dedication, loyalty and an unwavering belief in the ideals of our party,” Mr Oladejo said.

The spokesman noted that although his tenure was tragically cut short, the late Mr Yesiro left a lasting impression on colleagues and members of the party.

“His enthusiasm, humility and readiness to serve left a lasting impression on colleagues and members alike.

“He was a vibrant party man whose contributions to the growth and stability of the APC in Lagos State will not be forgotten,” he added.

Mr Oladejo said the party leadership and entire membership extended heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s immediate family, political associates, friends and supporters.

“On behalf of the leadership and entire membership of the Lagos APC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, political associates, friends and supporters during this difficult time.

“We pray that Almighty God grants his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss and grants his soul eternal rest,” he said.

He added that the party stood united in mourning the painful departure of the late Assistant Publicity Secretary.

“Karamo Yesiro will be remembered for his service, commitment and belief in the progressive cause. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Mr Oladejo said.

(NAN)

Major opposition parties in the country are expecting mass defections from theAll Progressives Congress (APC) from April.

According to a report by The Sun, the defections will be fallout from primaries to be conducted across the 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, and 990 seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the country.

With the elimination of indirect primaries from the new Electoral Act, lawmakers seeking return tickets are worried that their state governors will work against their emergence.

Already, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised election timetable ahead of the 2027 polls, as well as the conduct of primaries by the various political parties.

The aforementioned publication gathered from some members of the state and national assemblies, who plan to return to the parliament, that recent defections by governors of the opposition to the ruling APC would pose serious threats to them.

The lawmakers, who do not want to be mentioned, said the governors who joined the APC were insisting on producing candidates ahead of the general elections next year, without any recourse to those they met in the party.

One of the lawmakers from Delta State told the publication that part of the negotiations and agreements reached by the governors with the APC and President Bola Tinubu was the freedom to allow them to handpick flag bearers for next year’s general elections.

He said some of the governors were unwilling to accommodate the APC members they met in the party when they defected, but insisted on bringing in fresh candidates, predominantly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said that, to avoid being caught unawares, the aggrieved members of the APC have opened talks with the PDP, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Labour Party (LP) to accommodate them and offer them return tickets to parliament.

“Governors control the structures of political parties in the states. Today, almost all the PDP governors have moved to the APC. They came with their own structures and allies. Unfortunately, the governors already reached agreements with the leadership of the APC and President Tinubu to allow them produce candidates for next year’s general elections.

“Some of us know that we will not get the tickets. Our only option is to open negotiations with the PDP, ADC and LP. Hopefully, we will use our popularity to campaign and hope that we win our re-elections next year,”one of the lawmakers revealed.

Determined to reduce the mass defections, the APC is planning to conduct its National and State Houses of Assembly primaries towards the close of the window permitted by INEC.

A source in the APC said if the plan scales through, aspirants who will be denied tickets will be unable to defect and secure tickets from the opposition parties before the end of May this year.