FCT polls: PDP AMAC chairmanship candidate Zadna Dantani withdraws, backs APC rival
Less than 48 hours ahead of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections, Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate, has stepped down in favour of the
Less than 48 hours ahead of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections, Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate, has stepped down in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani said his decision followed interventions by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and confirmed that he had submitted a formal withdrawal letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In a statement, Dantani expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasised that the decision was made in the broader interest of the community rather than personal ambition.
"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 the Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who is our leader in the party and the leader in FCT, who has called my attention to let us know that this is a brotherhood election.
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"I am also doing this in support of the good works of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"I have consulted widely, and by the grace of God, we have agreed that we are no longer going to contest against my brother, Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
"By doing so, I also submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today.
"I therefore call on all my supporters across the 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come out en masse to support Hon Christopher Maikalangu, who is the candidate of APC".
Dantani's letter to INEC read; "I write to respectfully inform you that I, Hon. Zadna Dantani of Gosa Village along Airport Road FCT Abuja, a member and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have decided to voluntarily withdraw from contesting for the Chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council, in the forthcoming Area Council Elections which is scheduled to hold on 21st February, 2026, after due other consideration and thorough consultation with my Family and relevant stakeholders.
"I wish to state unequivocally that this decision to withdraw my candidature is borne out of my own free will. Accept the assurances of my warm regards, please."
