Voters in Bwari have voiced contrasting responses following the withdrawal of the Peoples Democratic Party’s chairmanship candidate from Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory area council election, a development that has altered the dynamics of the contest just days before ballots are cast.
Mr Julius Adamu, who had been contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, announced on Wednesday that he would no longer participate in the race and would instead support Mr Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress. He said the decision followed consultations with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and described the move as one taken in the interest of unity and peace. He also urged his supporters to back the APC candidate in the forthcoming poll.
In separate interviews in Bwari, several residents expressed concern over the timing and implications of the decision. Mr James Ambo said that withdrawing from the race three days before the election could suggest that political considerations outweighed the expectations of voters. Mr Elekwachi Stephen stated that the development raised questions about public participation and suggested it could affect voter turnout on Saturday. Miss Abigail Dauda said she felt disengaged from the process following the announcement.
Other residents took a different view. Mr Caleb Abaji described the decision as an act of political alignment, while Madam Comfort Elias said the outcome of the election would ultimately reflect a broader course of events. She encouraged residents to participate in the vote.
The change in the line-up of candidates follows a ruling earlier this week by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which affirmed Mr Ishaku as the lawful chairmanship candidate of the APC for the Bwari area council election. In a four-to-one judgement delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court set aside the majority decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had upheld an earlier Federal High Court ruling recognising Mr Haruna Audi as the party’s candidate.
