A heavy downpour did little to dampen political fervour in Yenagoa on Monday, as residents from across Bayelsa State’s eight local government areas turned out in large numbers to declare support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in what observers describe as a strong signal of shifting political tides in the state.
The rally, held in Yenagoa, saw thousands of supporters brave the rain in a dramatic show of grassroots mobilisation, underscoring growing momentum for the relatively new political platform ahead of upcoming elections.
According to a statement by Gabriel Ukuta, the party’s Director of New Media in Bayelsa, the turnout reflected deepening confidence in the leadership of Henry Seriake Dickson, the NDC’s National Leader and a former two-term governor of the state.
Ukuta said Dickson’s political legacy and current role as senator representing Bayelsa West continue to inspire loyalty and attract new supporters to the party.
Addressing the energized crowd, NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, framed the party as a refuge for Nigerians seeking change.
“The NDC is the Noah’s Ark of our time,” he declared, describing the party as a platform for the “oppressed, voiceless and marginalised” across Bayelsa, the Niger Delta, and the country at large.
He praised Dickson’s vision in founding the party and urged residents to align with what he portrayed as a movement for genuine democracy.
The state chairman of the party, Dauperebo Ikuromo, also commended supporters for their resilience, formally welcoming them and applauding their commitment despite the harsh weather.
But beyond the symbolism of the rain-soaked rally, the event’s most striking development was a wave of defections from multiple political parties, including the APC, PDP, ADC, and LP—highlighting a potential realignment in Bayelsa’s political landscape.
A former stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Selekebina Saboh, announced his defection to the NDC alongside more than 10,200 supporters drawn from across the state. He pledged total commitment to the party’s ideology and leadership ahead of the elections.
Similarly, Wilson Ayakpo Dayegha, a political figure from Ekeremor Local Government Area, also joined the party, describing it as the most viable platform for grassroots-driven victory.
He assured party leaders of his readiness to mobilise support and work collectively toward electoral success.
Other notable figures at the event included Hon. Pabra Igwele, Deputy State Chairman of the NDC; Hon. Fyneman Wilson, who represented the party’s national leader; and several stakeholders from Sagbama and Ekeremor local government areas.
The turnout and high-profile defections point to a rapidly evolving political environment in Bayelsa, where parties are recalibrating strategies and alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle. For the NDC, Monday’s rain-soaked rally may well mark a defining moment in its push to establish itself as a formidable force in the state.