FCT Polls: Nigerians React as PDP Candidate Endorses APC Rival After Wike’s Intervention

Some residents in Abuja have reacted to the decision of the PDP chairmanship candidate in Saturday’s FCT area council election, Mr Julius Adamu, to withdraw from the race in favour of his APC rival, Mr Joshua Ishaku.

According to reports, Adamu, who was contesting on the PDP platform, announced his withdrawal on Wednesday and declared support for the APC candidate.

He said the decision came after consultations with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Adamu added that the step was taken “in the interest of unity and peace”, urging his supporters to back the APC candidate to secure victory at the polls.

A resident, Mr James Ambo, said such a decision just three days before the election suggested it might favour politicians more than the people.

“It could either be about money, position or for the interest of some high and mighty which, unfortunately, is at the detriment of the grassroots people who are hopeful that true democracy prevailed.

“It is quite unfortunate that no one cares about how we supporters and electorate feel in all these. They only think of their own interests,” Ambo said.

Similarly, another resident, Mr Elekwachi Stephen, said democracy “is meant to bring hope to the people and not a game of power and control to a particular group or persons”.

“Apparently, this might have been planned from the beginning as had been rumoured, and it obviously shows we already have a winner for the election.

“Adamu’s decision, whether personal or a collective one, has wounded many hearts with genuine support for constitutional rights but obviously, the masses views or interests do not count,” he said.

Stephen also warned that the development could discourage some voters from participating on Saturday over fears that their votes might not matter.

Another resident, Miss Abigail Dauda, said she felt frustrated by the process and had become indifferent about who eventually emerges as chairman of the area council.

She noted that if politicians would abandon “selfish intentions” and genuinely serve the people with sincerity and fear of God, society would improve.

However, Mr Caleb Abaji described Adamu’s action as commendable, saying it reflected “true followership of a disciple to his leader.”

According to him, both parties had shown a willingness to make sacrifices for democracy and development in the FCT despite political differences.

“It is no longer about the parties but about individuals with true leadership qualities and vision and who can deliver to the people. So we must give our support to better days ahead,” Abaji said.

Madam Comfort Elias described the development as divine, saying “only the divinely-chosen makes it to the end of the race.”

She urged residents of the area council to come out in large numbers on Saturday to vote for progress and development.

NAN further reports that the Supreme Court on Monday affirmed Mr Joshua Ishaku as the lawful APC chairmanship candidate for the election.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivered a four-to-one judgment resolving the dispute over the party’s candidate.

Tukur set aside the majority decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which had upheld the Federal High Court ruling declaring Mr Haruna Audi as the APC chairmanship candidate.