2023: Atiku, others will be shocked, says Wike

Wike said this reacting to comment by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar that he will always clinch the party could amount to taking convention delegates for granted.

Wike said making such boast which will amount to taking delegates that will vote at the PDP presidential primary for granted.

"I didn't expect him frankly speaking to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted."

Governor Wike said he is committed to do anything that will ensure PDP returns to power in 2023, and begin once again the process of rebuilding the nation after years of All Progressives Congress' (APC) poor governance.

The Rivers State governor, who urged PDP members to resist making divisive utterances, declared that the outcome of the party's presidential election will shock many.

"People should watch, there will be shock as far as PDP convention is concern. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons and it is not good in politics."

He said whoever that emerges of all the aspirants should be rest assured that the entire party will rally round and make sure that he wins the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on the timetable just released by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) timetable over the weekend, Governor Wike expressed confidence that the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the PDP will ensure the party abides by the timetable.

"We are law abiding party. The party will soon meet, the NEC will meet and find the way forward on how we will put our house in order and make sure we religiously follow the timetable of INEC without violating any provision of the law and guidelines that INEC may have produced."

Governor Wike commended PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River and Ondo State for the sterling performance of the party in Saturday's bye election.

He attributed the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State to the recent decision of the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Senator Jeremiah Useni to set aside their differences and work for the interest of the party.

Governor Wike also lauded the PDP for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State, irrespective of the violence unleashed by the APC government in the State.

He further commended the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and other leaders of the party for the impressive performance of the party in Saturday's bye election. According to him, the prospects of the party in the 2023 general election remains bright.

Governor Wike has meanwhile disclosed that his administration will soon award contract for the construction of two more flyovers in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State governor explained that as part of his legacy to provide infrastructure that will improve the quality of life of the people and the economy of the state, he will soon award contract for the construction flyovers at Rumuokwuta junction and Location junction along NTA-Mgbuoba by Ada George road.

The two additional flyovers will be the twelfth to be awarded by Governor Wike's administration since 2019. Already, six have been completed and currently in use, the rest are at advance stages of completion.