Less than ten days remain before the February 25 general elections, and nine candidates for the Bayelsa West senatorial seat have withdrawn from the race to support the incumbent, Senator Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, who is seeking a second term. The candidates announced their withdrawal after a meeting with Dickson at his country home in Toru‑Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area, on Thursday. They said they have merged their political structures into the Dickson Campaign Organisation and are ready to back his re‑election bid.
The nine candidates are Ebikpolade Fuludu (ADC), Frank Odafe (AA), Alexander Pere (ZLP), Dr Joel Tubonimi (NNPP), Chief Ikporo (SDP), Ambassador Victor Ben (BOOT), Oweifabo Ebikeme (AAC), Dennis Michael (APN) and Salo Orlando (APP). Speaking on behalf of the group, Odafe explained that their decision was driven by the exemplary representation Dickson has provided in the National Assembly over the past two years. He described Dickson as a “bold, dynamic and articulate PDP candidate who governed Bayelsa State for eight years” and praised his development record as governor. Odafe added that it would be disrespectful to contest the election against a senator who deserves full support to continue his quality representation.
In a statement, the nine candidates said: “We, the nine senatorial candidates of different parties in the forthcoming 25 February 2023 senatorial election, have stepped down for Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in the contest for the Bayelsa West senatorial seat. We announce our decision after a meeting on Wednesday, 15 February 2023, with Senator Dickson at his country home in Toru‑Orua, Sagbama LGA. Our decision is based on our acknowledgement of the quality representation that Senator Dickson has provided within his brief period at the National Assembly. We hereby endorse him as the candidate to represent Bayelsa West at the National Assembly and pledge our total support to him. Some of us have already sent letters of withdrawal to INEC, while others will do so following this meeting.”
Dickson, speaking to journalists after the meeting, thanked the candidates for their decision, calling it a move in the general interest. He instructed the PDP Senatorial Vice‑Chairman, Mr Michal Magbisa, to mobilise all party support in the final phase of the campaign across the various communities ahead of the polls.
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