The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Zadna Dantani, has withdrawn from the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a letter dated February 18 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dantani said his decision followed consultations with family members and political stakeholders.
He described the move as voluntary and taken after careful consideration.
Dantani subsequently called on his supporters to back 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 termed guidance and intervention.
His withdrawal comes barely 24 hours after the PDP chairmanship candidate in Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, stepped down from the race and endorsed the APC candidate, Joshua Musa.
Adamu had similarly cited consultations before announcing his decision.
With Dantani’s exit, two prominent PDP chairmanship candidates have now pulled out of the contest in quick succession, signalling a shift in the political landscape ahead of the elections.
The 2026 FCT Area Council elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 21.
The exercise, conducted directly by INEC, will see voters across the six area councils — Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali — 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 to be transmitted electronically to its Result Viewing Portal.
Security agencies have also confirmed widespread deployment of personnel, while movement restrictions are expected between 6am and 6pm on election day.
Campaigns officially ended at midnight on February 19, two days before voters head to the polls.
