In a stunning turn of events ahead of the February 21, 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, has withdrawn from the race in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joshua Musa. The move has sent shockwaves across the FCT political landscape.
The withdrawal, staged on Wednesday in Bwari, saw a large gathering of supporters and political heavyweights, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who was present to witness the announcement. A video shared by Agbagyisha TV on Facebook captured the moment Adamu publicly declared he would no longer contest the chairmanship seat and called on his supporters to back the APC candidate.
Addressing the crowd, Wike stated, “We have agreed that he will stand down for Joshua.”
Adamu described his decision as the product of “deep consultation” with Wike, emphasizing a personal bond with Musa. “He and I are brothers. It would not be nice for two brothers to kill themselves over one business. As such, I have relinquished my support to Honourable Joshua, and I want to urge you all to support him to become chairman of Bwari Area Council,” Adamu said.
The development comes days after the Supreme Court affirmed Musa as the valid APC chairmanship candidate following legal disputes and appeals.
The February 21 elections will determine chairmen and councillors across the FCT’s six area councils: Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali. A total of 68 positions, including six chairmen and 62 councillorship seats, are up for grabs.
Bwari, a key political battleground, had drawn significant attention from both PDP and APC as the contest for control of the council intensified. Political analysts say Adamu’s withdrawal and endorsement of Musa represents a major realignment that could tilt the race in favor of the APC.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and long-time PDP stalwart, has remained a controversial figure in FCT politics since his appointment as Minister in 2023. Known for his high-profile interventions and occasional alignment with ruling party initiatives, Wike’s role in brokering Adamu’s stand-down has raised questions about cross-party influence and internal PDP dynamics.
Although still officially a PDP member, Wike has often cited mass defections from the party to APC as evidence of internal crises within the opposition. Critics have repeatedly accused him of engaging in activities that favor the APC agenda, a charge that continues to follow him in political circles.
The FCT Area Council elections, set to conclude on February 21, are expected to be closely watched, with the Bwari contest now taking on renewed significance following Adamu’s withdrawal. Sources indicate that campaign dynamics in the council have shifted dramatically, with both parties recalibrating strategies ahead of the polls.
