RismadarVoice Reporters
May 22, 2026
A former Bayelsa State governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Reuben Okoya, has defected to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside other political figures and supporters across the state.
Those who joined the NDC include former Finance Commissioner, Prof. Silva Opuala-Charles; businessman and politician, Mr Diepreye Leghemo; a prominent PDP women mobiliser, Esther Saiyo; and members of the Obidient Movement in Bayelsa State.
The defectors were received on Wednesday at the NDC state secretariat in Yenagoa by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas.
Cleopas urged the new members to align themselves with the ideology of the party’s leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, which he said is anchored on service to the people ahead of personal political ambitions.
Describing the NDC as “the biblical Noah’s Ark” for Nigerians seeking good governance, Cleopas said the party was preparing for a tough political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Don’t be afraid! Political power is not given but contended for. Until they see the power element in you, they won’t give it to you,” he said.
He added that the party’s founder had made a significant political investment in the NDC, expressing confidence that it would succeed.
Senator Cleopas described Reuben Okoya as a “decent, focused, intelligent and incorruptible” individual, saying his background aligned with the values of the party.
In his remarks, Okoya, an architect from Yenagoa Local Government Area, said he joined the NDC after resigning from the PDP, following careful consideration of other political platforms.
He said the NDC’s ideology of service to the people strongly influenced his decision to join the party.
Also speaking, Mr Diepreye Leghemo, a former House of Representatives aspirant for Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, pledged to mobilise support to strengthen the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC, registered only three months ago, has continued to attract notable political figures, including supporters from various political movements across the country.
