KEY POINTS

• PDP’s AMAC candidate Zadna Dantani withdrew from the race and endorsed APC incumbent Christopher Maikalangu.
• His exit follows that of Bwari PDP candidate Julius Adamu, signaling a late shift in the FCT electoral contest.
• Voters will elect six chairmen and 62 councillors on February 21 under tight security and movement restrictions.

The chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Abuja Municipal Area Council election, AMAC, Zadna Dantani, has officially withdrawn from the race just days before residents head to the polls.

In a letter dated February 18 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dantani said his decision followed broad consultations with his family and political associates.

He stressed that the withdrawal was voluntary and taken after careful consideration of prevailing political realities.

Declares Support for APC Candidate

Following his exit, Dantani announced his endorsement of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and current AMAC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu.

He also called on his supporters and political allies to transfer their backing to the incumbent in order to consolidate what he described as progress in the council.

In a video message circulated after the announcement, he expressed appreciation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his guidance and role in consultations leading to the decision.

Dantani’s move came less than a day after another PDP chairmanship hopeful, Julius Adamu, stepped down from the contest for the Bwari Area Council seat.

Adamu similarly declared support for APC candidate Joshua Ishaku Musa after what he described as deep consultations with Wike.

The back-to-back withdrawals mark a notable shift in the political landscape ahead of the polls, raising questions about party strategies and alliances in the final days of campaigning.