PDP Chairmanship Candidate Withdraws, Backs APC Ishaku in FCT Polls

PDP Chairmanship Candidate Withdraws, Backs APC Ishaku in FCT Polls

In a dramatic political realignment less than 72 hours before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, formally withdrew from the race and threw his support behind Joshua Ishaku Musa of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision was finalised during a bipartisan stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, following direct intervention by Nyesom Wike, who has increasingly played a kingmaker role in the territory’s political landscape.

Addressing supporters, Adamu described his withdrawal as a move to maintain local harmony and unity, emphasising his personal ties with Ishaku. “After deep consultation with the FCT Minister, I came to the conclusion that Joshua and I are brothers. It will not be nice for two brothers to fight over one office,” he said. He urged his political base to transfer their support to Ishaku, stressing the importance of consolidating votes for the betterment of the community.

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Minister Wike threw his full weight behind the newly forged alliance, linking Ishaku’s potential victory to accelerated infrastructure development in Bwari. Speaking to party members and voters, Wike said, “If you vote for Joshua, I will do more roads in Bwari. Let nobody make any mistake; on Saturday, come out and make sure that Joshua wins the election.” APC officials hailed the development as a demonstration of political maturity and strategic alliance-building that strengthens their chances in the contest.

The move has sparked mixed reactions among opposition figures and civil society groups. Senior PDP officials expressed surprise, highlighting concerns about internal party cohesion and grassroots mobilization. Some youth leaders lamented the abrupt withdrawal, warning that it could disenfranchise supporters who had actively campaigned for Adamu. Meanwhile, civil society observers called for transparency and voter education, stressing that alliances should not undermine informed voting and local representation.

Residents in Bwari voiced divergent opinions on the withdrawal. Some welcomed the pact, describing it as a step toward peaceful politics and improved community development, while others felt that voters should have had a say in the decision. Aisha Mohammed, a local trader, noted that “if this ensures unity and progress for Bwari, we support it,” whereas university student Emmanuel Adeyemi commented, “We should decide who represents us, not be instructed to follow party arrangements.”

The withdrawal significantly alters the electoral dynamics in Bwari, reducing vote fragmentation and strengthening the APC’s position in a previously competitive battleground. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is concluding preparations for elections across the six FCT Area Councils — Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali — scheduled for February 21, 2026. Observers have noted that the alliance could influence voter turnout and election outcomes, while political analysts continue to monitor Wike’s role as a strategic mediator shaping FCT politics.