By Sarah NEGEDU
Political calculations in Bwari shifted dramatically on Wednesday, after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairmanship candidate, Julius Adamu, abruptly withdrew from the race and declared support for candidate of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.
Adamu’s withdrawal, announced at a brief gathering in Bwari, was tied directly to the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose involvement in the local race has intensified political attention on the council.
Addressing supporters, Adamu said his decision followed “deep consultation” with the minister, noting that contesting against Joshua was no longer tenable.
“I am standing here before you this afternoon to tell you that I have been in deep consultation with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. And I have come to conclusion that I and Joshua, we are brothers.
“It will not be nice for two brothers to kill themselves over one office. Therefore, I have relinquished my support to Hon Joshua.
“I want to urge all my supporters to support Joshua to win this election,” he said.
Wike, who was present at the event, openly reinforced Adamu’s position and urged residents of Bwari to align with the APC candidate, tying their support to ongoing infrastructural projects in the council.
“The people of Bwari, let me tell you why you should support Joshua. If you vote for Joshua, I will do more roads in Bwari.
“Let nobody make any mistake, on Saturday, come out and make sure that Joshua wins the election.”
Adamu’s political realignment barely 72 hours to the FCT Area Council elections adds a new layer to the already competitive race in Bwari Area Council ahead of Saturday’s polls.
