Defection: Dickson Backs Declaration of APC Legislators' Seats Vacant 

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has described the decision of the State House of Assembly to declare the four seats of its members, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a step in the right direction.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson and made available to Daily Times, it said the action of the State Legislature was not only constitutional, but will also instill party discipline and sanitize the polity.

He condemned the practice, where politicians cross carpet at will, without recourse to the parties under which they were elected into positions was no longer acceptable and practicable, under a thriving democracy like ours.

According to him, the State assembly, has by this singular act, set the pace and shown the direction of the new PDP in the State, where party discipline and loyalty, must be the overriding principles and factors for all members, going forward.

The Bayelsa State Governor noted that, indiscipline, disloyalty and greed have been the bane of the PDP at State and National levels in the past, stressing that, such acts would no longer be tolerated for whatever reason in the party.

He said, “We will continue to do the needful by ensuring that, only those who respect the position of the party on issues are allowed to remain, while all those with selfish and unacceptable behavioral patterns will be shown the way out for the good of the PDP. Henceforth, members of the party, if truly they belong to the party, must be held accountable for their actions and in-actions.”