Less than 24 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate in Bwari Area Council stepped down, the party’s candidate in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zadna Dantani, has also withdrawn from the race and declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani announced his decision on Thursday, just days before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026. In a statement, he said his withdrawal followed the intervention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to Dantani, the decision was taken after consultations with family members and key stakeholders. He said he had also submitted a formal letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking to supporters, Dantani said he was stepping down not for personal reasons but in the interest of party unity and what he described as a “brotherhood election.”
He called on his supporters across the 12 wards of AMAC to vote for Maikalangu, who is seeking re-election under the platform of the APC.
“I have 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, that we are no longer going to contest against my brother, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu,” he said.
He also stated that his action was in support of the policies and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his letter addressed to INEC, Dantani said his withdrawal was voluntary and taken after “due consideration and thorough consultation.” He stressed that the decision was made of his own free will.
The development came shortly after the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, stepped down for the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa. The back-to-back withdrawals have raised eyebrows in political circles within the FCT.
The Abuja Municipal Area Council is the largest and most politically significant of the six area councils in the FCT. It covers key districts in the nation’s capital, including Garki, Wuse, Maitama and Asokoro, as well as several rural communities. Because of its size and economic importance, elections in AMAC often attract strong political interest.
Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, the APC candidate now endorsed by Dantani, is the incumbent chairman of AMAC. He was elected in the last area council elections and is seeking another term in office. His administration has focused on infrastructure, primary healthcare and local revenue generation.
The FCT Area Council elections are conducted by INEC and hold every three years. The councils function like local government areas in other states, providing basic services such as sanitation, primary education and local infrastructure.
Political observers say the recent withdrawals may signal a shift in alliances within the FCT. Though the PDP and APC are major rivals at the national level, political interests at the local level sometimes lead to unexpected alignments.
The role of the FCT Minister has also drawn attention. As Minister, Nyesom Wike oversees the administration of the Federal Capital Territory. Although he is a member of the PDP, he has maintained a working relationship with President Tinubu of the APC since the 2023 general elections.
Wike’s influence in FCT politics is widely acknowledged. Since his appointment as Minister, he has played a strong role in local political matters, including party disputes and preparations for the area council elections.
Some analysts believe the withdrawals may be part of a broader effort to reduce political tension ahead of the polls. Others argue that it reflects internal party decisions aimed at consolidating power at the grassroots level.
Supporters of Dantani have expressed mixed reactions. While some welcomed the decision as a step towards unity, others said they were surprised by the sudden move so close to the election date.
INEC has yet to issue an official statement on the withdrawals. However, electoral guidelines allow candidates to withdraw from an election by formally notifying the commission within the stipulated timeframe.
The FCT has six area councils: AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali. Elections in these councils often serve as a test of political strength in the capital territory.
As the February 21 election approaches, attention will now focus on whether other candidates will follow suit or if the remaining parties will intensify their campaigns.
For now, the endorsement of Maikalangu by a former rival has added a new twist to the race in AMAC. With political alignments shifting and party loyalties being tested, residents of the council will be watching closely as they prepare to cast their votes.
