Trending 
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that its erstwhile candidates for the forthcoming Abuja Area Council elections were pressured to withdraw from the race.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, in a statement shared on Friday, expressed displeasure at reports of its members withdrawing from the FCT elections. Ememobong said that the “forceful” withdrawal of its members reflects an attempt to weaken the opposition party ahead of future elections.
“As sad as this development is, it is a pointer to the type of voodoo democracy promoted by those parading as leaders of the PDP, whose only interest is to ‘hold’ the party for the President,” the statement read in part.
“This is exactly what they intended to do to Nigerians, when close to the Presidential elections, they can compel, induce or cajole all the other candidates to step down or withdraw for the President to have a smooth sail back to Aso Rock Villa, despite the abysmal performance of his administration.”
On Thursday, Zadna Dantani, a PDP member contesting the election, stepped down in favour of his opponent in the ruling All Progressives Congress candidate. In a video, Dantani disclosed that his withdrawal was influenced by the “intervention” of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Dantani’s withdrawal came less than 24 hours after the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, stepped down from the race.
