Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has maintained that he has no preferred candidate for the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Dickson said rather than back a particular aspirant, he would work closely with the party leadership to ensure the conduct of credible, free and fair primaries in the state.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, Dickson urged people of the state to dismiss claims of being endorsed by Dickson.
According to Dickson: “Now that the collection of gubernatorial forms have ended, the leadership of the party in the state wishes to say that there is no anointed aspirant against the practice in those states where outgoing governors endorse one single aspirant.
“I decided to open the state for people in my government, my team and other members of the party who have interest to indicate their interest I promise the state that there would be no imposition so would it be.
“The aspirants who have bought firms have the right to express their ambition but the state leadership òf the party should watch keenly. I am following the comments and making observations and inappropriate cases making consultations.
“Now that the end of purchase of forms have come, I will intensify consultations both with aspirants, party leaders and other stakeholders
“And at the end of the day, I intend to work with the party at the national and state levels to ensure that there is a free and fair election. Those using my name should be disregarded, it is not true, I have not endorsed anybody yet.”