PDP Candidate Withdraws From Abuja Municipal Election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Zadna Dantani, has withdrawn from the upcoming elections, stepping aside for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, following intervention from the FCT Minister.
In a significant development for the forthcoming local government elections, Zadna Dantani, the PDP chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), announced his withdrawal on Thursday. His decision sees him stepping aside in favour of Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, the candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move follows closely on the heels of Julius Adamu, the PDP chairmanship candidate for the Bwari Area Council, who similarly withdrew to support the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.
Ministerial Intervention and Rationale
Mr Dantani attributed his surprising withdrawal to the direct involvement of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom he described as a pivotal leader within their party. He confirmed that all necessary formal documentation for his withdrawal has been duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During his announcement, Mr Dantani stated, “My name is Hon. Zadna Dantani, the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council for Saturday’s elections. I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us. We are taking this step not out of personal interest, but for the greater good.” He further explained that his decision was based on the "brotherhood election" appeal from Minister Wike and also expressed support for the commendable work of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Call for Unity and Support
After extensive consultations, Dantani clarified that his withdrawal from the contest against Maikalangu was intended to foster unity within the broader political landscape. He urged his loyal supporters across all 12 wards in AMAC to turn out en masse and back Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, in the forthcoming elections.