The chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Zadna Dantani, on Thursday, the 19th of February, 2026, stepped down from the contest and endorsed the All Progressives Congress candidate, Christopher Maikalangu, just days before the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections slated for Saturday, the 21st of February, 2026.
His withdrawal follows a similar development in Bwari Area Council, where the PDP’s Julius Adamu recently pulled out of the race in favour of the APC candidate, Joshua Musa.
Speaking to supporters, Dantani explained that his decision was influenced by the intervention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a video shared by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, Dantani said, “My name is Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Abuja Municipal Area Council for Saturday’s Area Council elections.
“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 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. I am also doing this in support of the good works of President Bola Tinubu.”
He described the forthcoming poll as one anchored on unity rather than competition.
Dantani disclosed that he had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of his withdrawal, submitting an official letter ahead of the 21st of February, 2026 election.
“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.
“I therefore call on all my supporters across the 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come out enmasse to support Hon Christopher Maikalangu, who is the candidate of APC,” he noted.
In the letter dated the 18th of February, 2025 and addressed to INEC, he wrote, “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, 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.
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“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.”
The AMAC race is among six chairmanship contests scheduled across the FCT. Residents in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali are expected to elect chairmen and councillors.
INEC has fixed the 21st of February, 2026, for the elections. Campaign activities, which commenced in September 2025, will officially end on the 19th of February. A total of 68 offices are being contested, comprising six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
Wike’s involvement in the talks underscores his sustained political influence within the FCT since assuming office as minister in 2023. Though still a member of the PDP, the former Rivers State governor has repeatedly aligned with initiatives and candidates linked to the APC.
His position has attracted criticism from some members of his party, who accuse him of working against PDP interests. However, Wike insists that ongoing defections from the PDP to the APC affirm his stance that the opposition party is facing internal challenges.