Ahead of the 2027 general elections, three PDP candidates for the National Assembly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have withdrawn from the race to endorse their All Progressives Congress (APC) rivals.
The PDP candidates—Gomna Stephen Gashe (Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje Federal Constituency), Ahmed Dogara Jacob (Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency), and Angulu Bako (FCT Senatorial District)—announced their step-down in Abuja on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the “Rainbow Coalition,” a cross-party alliance convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Their decision benefits the corresponding APC candidates: Danladi Chiya (Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje), Shekwogaza Gabaya (Abuja Municipal/Bwari), and Philip Aduda (FCT Senate).
Wike explained during the session that he was ready to concede the FCT National Assembly seats to the APC because President Bola Tinubu resides in the territory.
Wike affirmed that political differences would not prevent members of both parties from collaborating toward a common presidential objective, declaring himself the “commander of field operations” for President Tinubu’s reelection campaign in both the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State.
“Ordinarily, as the national leader of the PDP, I should have told them to allow me to take one. But because the president resides here [FCT], he lives here. I don’t want to share anything with the president. Take senator and the two house of representatives [seats]. But in my state [Rivers], I will take small,” he said.
Following their step down, the PDP candidates subsequently took turns pledging their loyalty to Wike and promising to work with him.
Backstory…
Wike and APC governors are in disagreement over his rainbow alliance, which brings together lawmakers from various political parties to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The APC governors announced that they would reject any political deal or partnership that could compromise the party’s candidates or undermine Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
Furthermore, the governors asserted that they would refuse any arrangements that might generate internal friction, divided loyalties, or conflicting interests within the party.
Despite the governors concerns and disapproval, the FCT minister went ahead to declare himself president Tinubu’s campaign commander.
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