By Jimitota Onoyume & Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA— Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa State, Mr. James Dugo, yesterday, denied insinuations that he was handpicked by President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that an “anointed” candidate emerged victorious in the party’s gubernatorial primaries billed for November 19. Dugo said he would ensure a level playing ground for all PDP gubernatorial aspirants in Bayelsa State.

Meanwhile, amidst tight security, PDP, Thursday, at its South-South zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, screened aspirants for the governorship election in Bayelsa State. Governor Timipre Sylva, who is one of the top contenders, assured that he will clinch the party’s ticket. The governor, who spoke shortly after he was screened for the election, said there was no cause for alarm.

He said: “You know that screening is a very straight forward process, especially when you have all your papers intact. For me, this is my second time of being screened this year. This to me is to confirm my earlier screening. I am very optimistic of being cleared. I was asked just very few questions. As I told you, I have already been cleared for the same purpose earlier this year.”

Meanwhile, Dugo said: “I am not under the influence of President Jonathan or any person or group. Let me use this opportunity to advise all party members to be mindful of detractors who infiltrate our party, whose aim is to pill us down. By the same token, we should build a synergy and consensus, so that we can contend with other political parties in the state.

“As you all know, the political designation of Bayelsa State is simply PDP and other parties. I must thank God for touching the heart of the party stalwarts for considering me capable for this great assignment to reposition our greater party in the state, especially as we work towards the gubernatorial poll come February 2012.”

National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Alkali had on Tuesday, announced that after an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of the party, Dugo was selected to replace the erstwhile chairman of the party, Mr. Fred Agbedi, who resigned from office last year to pursue his Senatorial ambition.