Obi takes campaign to Bayelsa creeks at Dickson's homecoming

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), travelled to Bayelsa State on Friday for the homecoming of the party's national leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

The visit took the pair from Yenagoa to Dickson's hometown of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area, where supporters turned out in large numbers, according to Channels TV and Daily Post.

In Yenagoa, hundreds of boats decorated with party flags sailed across the creek, with supporters chanting Obi's name. Obi rode on one of the lead boats and waved to crowds at the waterfront.

"The people of Bayelsa live on water, so we must meet them on water," Obi said at the regatta, according to Daily Post. Dickson described the display as proof of grassroots support in the Niger Delta. "With boats, we will sail to victory," he said.

The boat regatta is a traditional Ijaw cultural display, and videos of the event spread widely on social media.

What Obi promised Bayelsa

Speaking to stakeholders, Obi took aim at President Bola Tinubu's travel record. He said the President had spent more than 260 days abroad and had not spent a night in Bayelsa in over three years in office.

"I will visit Bayelsa to hear directly from our people and respond to their concerns," Obi said, promising closer engagement with the state if elected.

On the economy, he pledged to upgrade ports across the Niger Delta, naming Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar. He also promised to start construction of the long-delayed Ibaka seaport in Akwa Ibom and to establish a new port in Bayelsa to serve riverine communities.

Obi repeated his wider platform: security, anti-corruption enforcement and heavy spending on healthcare and education as the route out of poverty.

The day ended with cultural displays in Toru-Orua, including a traditional canoe war game. Obi congratulated Dickson on his return home and thanked the party's national and state leadership and the people of Bayelsa for what he called a warm reception.

What happens next

The 2027 general election is still ahead, and the NDC is presenting itself as an alternative to the ruling party. For Bayelsa residents, the pledges on ports and riverine infrastructure are the ones to watch, though no timelines or costs were given.