By Nkechi Eze
Residents from across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State on Monday braved heavy rainfall in Yenagoa to publicly declare their support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, in a major political gathering that signaled growing momentum for the party ahead of forthcoming elections.
Despite the downpour, thousands of supporters trooped to the venue, demonstrating what party leaders described as a rising grassroots movement across the state.
In a statement issued by the Director of New Media to the NDC in Bayelsa State, Gabriel Ukuta, the large turnout reflected widespread confidence in the leadership of the party’s National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson.
Ukuta noted that Dickson’s political legacy including his tenure as a two-term governor of Bayelsa State and his current role representing Bayelsa West in the Senate continues to inspire strong loyalty and support for the party.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, described the party as a political refuge for Nigerians seeking genuine democratic representation.
“The NDC is the Noah’s Ark of our time,” Cleopas declared. “It is a refuge for the oppressed, the voiceless and the marginalized not only in Bayelsa but across the Niger Delta and Nigeria.”
He commended Dickson for his vision in founding the party and urged citizens to embrace what he described as a movement committed to restoring true democracy and people-focused leadership.
Earlier in his remarks, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party, Dauperebo Ikuromo, welcomed supporters and expressed gratitude for their resilience and commitment, particularly in defying the rain to attend the rally.
“This turnout shows the strength of our movement and the determination of Bayelsans to support a party that truly represents their aspirations,” Ikuromo said.
The gathering was further electrified by a wave of political defections from several parties, including the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and the Labour Party.
A former stalwart of the APC, Selekebina Saboh, announced his defection to the NDC alongside more than 10,200 supporters from across the state.
Saboh pledged unwavering loyalty to the party’s leadership and ideology, promising to mobilise grassroots support ahead of the elections.
Also declaring his support for the party was Wilson Ayakpo Dayegha from Ekeremor Local Government Area, who described the NDC as the platform capable of delivering a people-driven electoral victory.
He assured party leaders of his commitment to mobilising support and working collaboratively to secure success at the polls.
Other prominent figures present at the event included the NDC State Deputy Chairman, Pabra Igwele; Fyneman Wilson, who represented the party’s National Leader at the event; O. Osusu; Salo Adikumo; Suru Oyarede; Wisdom Fafi; and Oyinke Godbless, among others.
The event marks a significant development in the evolving political landscape of Bayelsa State, with growing alignments and defections indicating intensifying political activities as parties prepare for the upcoming elections.
