By Joyce Ekeh
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suffered a fresh political setback ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the defection of more than 100 of its supporters in Angalabiri community, Ekeremor Local Government Area, to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The defectors announced their decision on Saturday during a reception organised in honour of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the NDC and the party’s senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West, as part of his thank-you visit to the community.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the NDC Media Office, which said the defectors had pledged their support for the party and its candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.
elcoming the new members, the member representing Sagbama Constituency I in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyinke Godbless, declared that Angalabiri had resolved to identify with the NDC.
She said the community was prepared to support the party across all elective positions, from the presidential election to the State House of Assembly.
“Angalabiri is an NDC community. The people have made their decision, and we are prepared to support the party and all its candidates, from the presidential election to the State House of Assembly,” Godbless declared.
Also speaking, a community youth leader, Hon. Patrick Titus, commended Dickson for visiting the community, describing his presence as significant to residents who had followed his political engagements at the national level.
Titus particularly praised the turnout of women and youths at the reception, saying their participation demonstrated the community’s interest in the NDC and its political activities.
“The youths and women of Angalabiri are happy to receive Senator Dickson. His visit means a lot to the community, and the large turnout here demonstrates the level of interest and support he enjoys among our people,” he said.
In his remarks, Dickson thanked traditional elders, political stakeholders, women and youths for their prayers and continued support over the years.
The former Bayelsa State governor urged residents to work with community leaders to ensure peaceful and credible elections, cautioning against activities capable of generating tension or disrupting the community’s peace.
He also encouraged residents to participate actively in the electoral process by exercising their constitutional voting rights, stressing the importance of the principle of one man, one vote.
Dickson called on the people to reject electoral violence, intimidation and malpractice, irrespective of the individuals or political groups involved.
He maintained that credible elections and peaceful political participation were essential to strengthening democracy and ensuring that citizens’ choices were respected.
Meanwhile, the NDC disclosed that the Angalabiri defection was accompanied by similar political developments in other communities within Ekeremor Local Government Area.
According to the statement, scores of APC members from Isampou and Ogrigbene communities also defected to the NDC after visiting Dickson at his country home in Toru-Orua earlier on Saturday.
The defectors reportedly paid homage to the senator and expressed appreciation for what they described as his quality representation at the National Assembly.
They also commended his political involvement in establishing the NDC, pledging to support the party and its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The latest defections represent another political development in Bayelsa as parties and their leaders intensify efforts to consolidate their grassroots structures and build support ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, the extent to which the reported defections will translate into electoral support across Ekeremor and other parts of the state remains to be determined as political activities gather momentum.
