…APC candidate withdraw for PDP in Gwagwalada
…PDP Candidates in AMAC, BWARI withdraw for APC
The build-up to today’s (February 21) Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken a dramatic turn, with a wave of cross-party withdrawals reshaping the political landscape across the nation’s capital.
In a development that underscores shifting alliances and strategic recalculations, the chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gwagwalada Area Council, Mallam Usman Yahaya, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kasim Mohammed Ikwa (Wakilin Zuba).
The decision marks a reversal of the earlier pattern in which two PDP chairmanship candidates in separate councils stepped down to back APC contenders.
In a formal statement dated February 19th, 2026, Yahaya said his withdrawal followed “deep personal reflection and extensive consultations” with key stakeholders in the FCT and Gwagwalada, including prominent party figures.
Yahaya’s letter which was addressed to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was received and acknowledged same day, the 19th of February, 2026.
Yahaya cited prevailing political realities across the council’s 10 wards and acknowledged that his candidacy had struggled to gain the required traction with the electorate.
“In the spirit of the 21st century, leadership must transcend narrow partisanship and prioritise the larger, holistic interest of the society we seek to serve,” he stated.
Describing Ikwa as “the most generally acceptable, competent and prepared candidate” for the chairmanship seat, Yahaya urged his supporters to rally behind the PDP flag bearer in the interest of peace, progress and stability in Gwagwalada.
This is Yahaya’s letter in full:
“After deep personal reflection and extensive consultations with key stakeholders and the “powers that be” in the Fct and within Gwagwalada Area Council -most notably Hon. Abubakar Jibril Giri, Alh Abdulmalik Usman and Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi. I, Mallam Usman Yahaya the APC Chairmanship Candidate for the Saturday, 21st February election, hereby officially announce my withdrawal from the race.
This decision stems from a sober realization of the current political climate across the ten electoral wards of our Council. It has become evident that the collective will and choice of the people are moving in a direction that favours a different vision for our future. In the spirit of the 21st century, leadership must transcend narrow partisanship and prioritize the larger, holistic interest of the society we seek to serve.
Recognizing that my candidacy has faced significant challenges in gaining the necessary traction with the electorate, and in a sincere bid to avoid further political friction, I voluntarily withdraw from the contest.
Furthermore, I wish to state without fear of contradiction that Alh. Kasim Mohammed Ikwa (Wakilin Zuba) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as the most generally acceptable, competent, and prepared candidate for the Gwagwalada Chairmanship seat. Consequently, I appeal to all my loyal supporters, followers, and the good people of Gwagwalada to shift their support to him.
This position is taken in good faith and is rooted in my desire for the peace, progress, and stability of our Council. I urge all well-meaning Nigerians residing in Gwagwalada to come out en masse tomorrow, Saturday, 21st February, to cast their votes for Alh. Kasim Mohammed Ikwa under the platform of the PDP
Let us put Gwagwalada first.”
The latest development comes on the heels of similar withdrawals by PDP candidates in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council, who endorsed APC counterparts.
In AMAC, Hon. Zadna Dantani formally stepped down and threw his weight behind the APC candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu. Dantani said his decision followed consultations with party stakeholders and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as the PDP leader in the territory.
He disclosed that he had submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that the move was voluntary and taken in the interest of unity and alignment with ongoing development initiatives in the FCT.
Similarly, in Bwari Area Council, the PDP candidate, Julius Adamu, stepped aside in support of the APC flag bearer, Joshua Ishaku Musa. Adamu said the decision was reached after “deep consultations” with Wike and was aimed at fostering unity and accelerating development. He urged party faithful to mobilise for the APC candidate at the polls.
The reciprocal withdrawals have intensified debate over party cohesion within the PDP and the evolving power configuration in the FCT.
Observers say the developments highlight Wike’s expanding political influence in the territory, despite his membership of the PDP, and reflect a pragmatic approach that increasingly blurs partisan lines.
At a political gathering in Bwari, Wike openly canvassed support for the APC candidate, linking electoral backing to accelerated infrastructural development and promising additional road projects if residents voted accordingly.
Attention now turns to how voters across the six area councils will respond to the cross-party endorsements and whether the strategic withdrawals will translate into electoral gains when ballots are cast.
