The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed “utter dismay” over the withdrawal of some of its chairmanship candidates ahead of the Abuja Area Council elections, describing the development as anti-democratic.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Friday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party condemned the decision of the candidates to step down in favour of opponents from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This action is anti-democratic in every sense and is hereby totally condemned by the party,” the statement read.
The PDP maintained that democracy flourishes through credible electoral contests, not what it described as “forced or induced melodramatic consensus,” which it claimed was evident in the lead-up to the FCT local council polls.
According to the party, the development reflects “the type of voodoo democracy promoted by those parading as leaders of the PDP, whose only interest is to hold the party for the President.”
It added, “This is exactly what they intended to do to Nigerians, when close to the Presidential elections, they can compel, induce or cajole all the other candidates to step down or withdraw for the President to have a smooth sail back to Aso Rock Villa, despite the abysmal performance of his administration.
“It was for ignoble, reckless and shameless acts like these that we excommunicated them from our party, in order to rebuild a strong opposition party, prepared for a struggle to return to power by 2027.”
The party also urged voters in the Federal Capital Territory to remain vigilant during the elections and safeguard the integrity of the process.
It called on voters to ensure that Presiding Officers transmit Form EC8A immediately after announcing results at polling units.
Reports indicate that two PDP chairmanship candidates in separate area councils stepped down to endorse APC contenders.
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), PDP candidate Hon. Zadna Dantani withdrew from the race and endorsed the incumbent APC chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani said his decision followed consultations with party stakeholders and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as the PDP’s leader in the territory.
He confirmed submitting a formal letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that his decision was voluntary and carefully considered.
Dantani further directed his supporters across AMAC’s 12 wards to mobilise for the APC candidate, citing the need for unity and alignment with ongoing development initiatives in the FCT.
A similar development occurred in Bwari Area Council, where PDP chairmanship candidate Julius Adamu stepped aside in favour of APC flagbearer Joshua Ishaku Musa.
