The chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Zadna Dantani, has withdrawn from the contest ahead of the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gatekeepers News reports that in a letter dated February 18 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dantani said his decision followed extensive consultations with family members and other stakeholders.
“I write to respectfully inform you that I, Hon. Zadna Dantani… have decided to voluntarily withdraw from contesting for the Chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council… after due consideration and thorough consultation with my Family and other relevant stakeholders,” the letter read.
He added that the decision was taken “of my own freewill volition.”
Dantani subsequently urged his supporters to rally behind the APC candidate and incumbent AMAC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, in Saturday’s poll. In a video message, he also thanked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his intervention and guidance.
Second PDP Withdrawal in 24 Hours
Dantani’s withdrawal comes less than 24 hours after the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, stepped down from the race and endorsed the APC candidate, Joshua Musa, following what he described as “deep consultations” with Wike.
With Dantani’s exit, he becomes the second prominent PDP chairmanship aspirant to withdraw in the lead-up to the polls, underscoring a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the election.
FCT Polls Set for Saturday
The 2026 FCT Area Council elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 21. The polls are unique in Nigeria, as they are conducted directly by INEC rather than by a state electoral commission.
Voters across the six area councils — Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali — will elect six chairmen and 62 councillors across 68 constituencies.
INEC has announced that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed in all polling units, with results transmitted electronically to its Result Viewing Portal.
Movement restrictions will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day, while security agencies have confirmed large-scale deployments to ensure order. Campaign activities officially ended at midnight on February 19, two days before the polls.
