By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, which come up in less than 7 hours, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, has stepped down for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) PDP Chairmanship Candidate, Hon. Zadna Dantani, has also stepped down for the APC candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani, who said his decision to step down was an aftermath of intervention by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, added that he has also submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said, “My name is Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council for Saturday’s Area Council elections.”
“I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us, and by the grace of God, we are doing it not because of our personal interests.”
Dantani explained that his decision to step down for his APC candidate opponent was because of the intervention of the FCT minister.
“I am here to tell my people that as a candidate who is standing for this election, I have today agreed, based on the intervention of the Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who is our leader in the party and the leader in FCT, who has called my attention to let us know that this is a brotherhood election.”
“I am also doing this supporting the good works of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“I have consulted widely, and by the grace of God, we have agreed that we are no longer going to contest against my brother, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.”
“By doing so, I also submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today. “
“I therefore call on all my supporters across the 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come out en masse to support Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, who is the candidate of the APC.”
Dantani’s letter to INEC read, “I write to respectfully inform you that I, Hon. Zadna Dantani of Gosa Village along Airport Road FCT Abuja, a member and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have decided to voluntarily withdraw from contesting for the Chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council, in the forthcoming Area Council Elections which is scheduled to hold on 21st February, 2026, after due other consideration and thorough consultation with my Family and relevant stakeholders.
“I wish to state unequivocally that this decision to withdraw my candidacy is borne out of my own free will and volition.
“Accept the assurances of my warm regards, please.”
End
