In a dramatic political development ahead of the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zadna Dantani, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani’s decision comes less than 24 hours after the PDP Chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, also stepped down for the APC candidate in his council.
Cites Wike’s Intervention
Announcing his withdrawal, Dantani said his decision followed the intervention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“My name is Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council for the Saturday’s Area Council elections,” he said.
“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.”
He continued: “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.”
Dantani also linked his decision to support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am also doing this in support of the good works of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.
“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.”
Letter Submitted to INEC
Dantani confirmed that he has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his withdrawal.
“By doing so, I also submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today,” he said.
He called on his supporters across AMAC’s 12 wards to back the APC candidate.
“I therefore call on all my supporters across the 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come out enmasse to support Hon Christopher Maikalangu, who is the candidate of APC.”
Content of Withdrawal Letter
In his letter to INEC, Dantani wrote:
“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 candidature is borne out of my own freewill volition.”
“Accept the assurances of my warm regards, please.”
