The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Tanimu Turaki has denounced the withdrawal of two of its candidates from the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, describing the move as undemocratic and detrimental to credible electoral competition.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the camp, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the group expressed what it termed strong disapproval of the development ahead of Saturday’s polls scheduled for February 22.
According to the statement, democracy is sustained through open and competitive contests rather than what it characterised as orchestrated consensus in the lead-up to the FCT local council elections.
The reaction followed the decision of two PDP chairmanship candidates to step down and endorse their counterparts in the All Progressives Congress.
Mr Julius Adamu, the PDP candidate for Bwari Area Council, withdrew between February 17 and 18 and declared support for APC’s Joshua Ishaku Musa, citing consultations that reportedly involved the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Similarly, Mr Zadna Dantani, the party’s candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), also stepped down in favour of APC’s Christopher Zakka Maikalangu. He reportedly attributed his decision to Wike’s influence and formally submitted his withdrawal letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee accused unnamed party figures of promoting what it described as “voodoo democracy,” alleging that the withdrawals were aimed at weakening the PDP and strengthening the ruling party.
The statement further claimed that such actions were inconsistent with the party’s vision of rebuilding a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The faction also urged voters in the FCT to turn out for the elections and remain vigilant in safeguarding their ballots, calling on presiding officers to ensure the prompt transmission of Form EC8A results at polling units.
