A chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s capital has stepped down from the race and endorsed his opponent from the All Progressives Congress (APC), following consultations involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Julius Adamu, who had been contesting for chairman of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that he was withdrawing in favour of Joshua Musa, the APC candidate. The development took place in Bwari, one of the six area councils that make up the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, and was witnessed by Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Okay News reports that the announcement was made at a public gathering attended by supporters and political figures. A video shared by Agbagyisha TV on Facebook showed Adamu addressing the crowd and declaring that he would no longer pursue the chairmanship seat.
Speaking at the event, Wike told supporters, “We have agreed that he will stand down for Joshua.”
Adamu explained that his decision followed what he described as “deep consultation” with the minister. He emphasised his personal relationship with Musa, stating that both men were “brothers” and that 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,” he stated.
The Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026. Voters across the six area councils, namely Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali, will elect chairmen and councillors.
Nigeria’s national election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), fixed the date for the polls after campaigns officially began in September 2025. Campaign activities are set to conclude on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
In total, 68 elective positions are at stake across the territory. These include six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship seats.
The Bwari contest has attracted attention because both the PDP, which is Nigeria’s main opposition party, and the APC, the ruling party at the federal level, are seeking to strengthen their influence in the capital territory.
In the days leading up to the withdrawal, Nigeria’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, affirmed Musa as the valid APC chairmanship candidate after a period of legal disputes that had reached the appellate level.
Wike’s role in the negotiations has drawn interest given his political background. He is a former governor of Rivers State in southern Nigeria and has long been associated with the PDP. However, since his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in 2023, he has frequently taken positions that some members of his party view as controversial.
Although he remains a member of the PDP, Wike has openly supported several initiatives and candidates linked to the APC. He has also argued that recent defections from the PDP to the APC demonstrate internal challenges within the opposition party.
Critics within the PDP have accused him of engaging in anti-party activities and aligning too closely with the ruling party’s agenda. Supporters, however, describe his actions as pragmatic political engagement in the interest of governance and stability in the capital.
The outcome of Saturday’s election in Bwari will determine who leads the council and may also shape the broader political balance within the Federal Capital Territory.
