The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, Zadna Dantani, has stepped down from the race and declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the poll.

In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dantani said the decision followed consultations with family members and political associates, stressing that he withdrew voluntarily.

He urged his supporters to back the APC candidate and incumbent chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, in the forthcoming election.

In a video message, he also thanked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his guidance.

Dantani’s withdrawal comes shortly after the PDP’s candidate in Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, also stepped down and endorsed the APC’s Joshua Musa, indicating a shift in the political landscape ahead of the vote.

The FCT council elections are expected to hold soon, with voters across the six area councils set to elect new chairmen and councillors. Electoral authorities have confirmed that biometric accreditation devices will be deployed at polling units, with results uploaded electronically.

Security agencies are also expected to enforce movement restrictions during voting hours to maintain order and ensure a peaceful process.