Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Monday said he would not impose any candidate on his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Dickson spoke during a solidarity visit to the Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, over the recent suspension of his company’s licence by the National Broadcasting Commission.
Asked if the internal wrangling in the ruling PDP would not affect the party in the polls, the governor said they had learnt from the mistakes that cost the All Progressives Congress Zamfara State.
He said, “I can lead the PDP to battle alone; I have done it repeatedly. There will be no form of manipulation.
“The people talking about manipulation are anticipating that they should be imposed. I’m not going to impose any of them. Any of them who feel they have experience and capacity should go and make their case to the people of Bayelsa State.”
Dickson said he was confident that the right candidate would emerge from the primary election and lead the PDP to victory.
He said, “I hope that the right person with competence and capacity emerges (as governor) to build on the foundation which we have laid over the last seven years. I have no doubt that the right person will emerge with my support.”
He added, “The PDP is the most prepared party. I have in the last years built a solid, formidable and an all-inclusive party such that even those who left found it as the most attractive platform to return to.
“The party leaders will play their roles, and the delegates ultimately will decide who the candidate shall be.”
The governor described the closure of Daar Communications as a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria.
He said, “A few days ago, we were shocked at the sudden closure of Daar Communications by the NBC. When we got the unfortunate news, we included the condemnation in the public domain.
“We thank the judiciary for its decision. The right of free speech should be the first to be protected. We consider what happened as a serious blow to our efforts to deepen the nation’s democracy and free exchange of views.
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