Oil magnate and former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Selekebina Saboh on Monday, defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at a carnival-like event in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The high-profile defection, which took place amid heavy rainfall, attracted party supporters from across the eight local government areas of the state.
The event also featured the formal defection of a former Minority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Wilson Ayakpo Dauyegha, from the APC to the NDC, further boosting the party’s growing profile in the state.
Speaking at the event, Saboh, a former Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, said his decision to join the NDC alongside thousands of supporters was driven by his confidence in the leadership of the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
He cited Dickson’s political pedigree, including his tenure as a two-term governor of Bayelsa State and current senator representing Bayelsa West, as a major source of inspiration.
Saboh also criticised the APC, alleging that the party had failed to accord the Ijaw ethnic nationality its rightful place in the nation political landscape.
“I am not here to bore you with a long speech. I came here with 10,200 followers. Bayelsa State has a precious stone, and that precious stone is our National Leader, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. Bayelsans should be happy that we have a national leader of a party. He has founded this party as a blessing for us,” he said.
Addressing the crowd, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, described the party as “the Noah’s Ark of our time,” saying it represents a safe haven for Nigerians seeking political inclusion and justice.
READ ALSO: Dickson Rules Out Immediate Presidential Bid, Declares PDP ‘Dead’ As NDC Gains Momentum
According to him, the NDC is being positioned as a platform for the oppressed, voiceless, and marginalised across the country, and commended Saboh for what he termed a bold and courageous decision to leave the APC.
He assured the new entrants of equal opportunities within the party, pledging that they would be fully integrated and supported.
Cleopas also lauded Senator Dickson for his foresight in founding the party and urged Nigerians to embrace what he described as a movement committed to delivering genuine democracy.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Dauperebo Ikuromo, commended party faithful for their resilience and steadfastness, expressing confidence that the party remains on a steady path to political success.
Also speaking, Dauyegha described the NDC as a viable platform for delivering effective grassroots governance, pledging his commitment to mobilising massive support for the party.
He assured leaders and supporters of his readiness to work collaboratively to secure electoral victory in the coming 2027 general elections.
