Abuja: Mr. Zadna Dantani, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has withdrawn from the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election. Dantani has decided to step down in favor of the incumbent Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, who is seeking reelection under the All Progressives Congress (APC), just under two days before the election.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dantani announced his decision to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, citing intervention by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as a significant influence in his decision-making process. Dantani mentioned that the decision to withdraw had already been communicated to the National Electoral Commission. In his statement, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasized that the move was not driven by personal interests but rather by a broader political strategy.
Dantani stated, “I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us and by the grace of God, we are doing it not because of our personal interests. I am here to tell my people that as a candidate who is standing for this election, I have today, agreed based on the intervention of Wike, who is our leader in the party and the leader in FCT. He called my attention to let us know that this is a brotherhood election. I am also doing this in support of the good works of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He further elaborated on his decision, noting that after extensive consultation, he and his team have decided not to contest against his “brother,” Christopher Maikalangu. Dantani urged his supporters across the 12 wards in AMAC to rally behind Maikalangu in the upcoming election.
The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that Dantani’s decision comes shortly after a similar move by his counterpart in Bwari, Mr. Julius Adamu, who stepped down for the APC candidate, Mr. Joshua Musa.