FCT 2027 Elections: Three PDP Candidates Step Down for APC Rivals at Wike-Backed Meeting
Three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates contesting National Assembly seats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have withdrawn from the race in favour of their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision was announced on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the cross-party Rainbow Coalition in Abuja, convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The PDP candidates are Gomna Stephen Gashe, contesting the Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje House of Representatives seat; Ahmed Dogara Jacob, contesting the Municipal/Bwari constituency; and Angulu Bako, who is seeking a Senate seat. Their APC counterparts are Danladi Chiya, Shekwogaza Gabaya and Philip Aduda, respectively.
Speaking at the meeting, Wike said he was prepared to concede the FCT National Assembly seats to the APC because President Bola Tinubu resides in the territory. He argued that political differences should not prevent politicians from working together towards a shared presidential objective.
Wike described himself as the “commander of field operations” for Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State. He said he would not insist on securing any of the FCT seats for his political camp, although he indicated that he expected to retain some political representation in his home state of Rivers.
Following his remarks, the three PDP candidates reportedly pledged their loyalty to Wike and promised to work with him. The development represents a cross-party arrangement aimed at supporting Tinubu’s re-election campaign while giving the APC candidates backing in the FCT National Assembly contests.
The move comes amid disagreements between Wike and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together politicians from different parties to support Tinubu’s second-term bid. The governors have reportedly opposed political alliances that they believe could weaken the APC or undermine its candidates in the 2027 elections.
The APC governors have also warned against arrangements that could create confusion, divided loyalty or competing interests within the party. Their position highlights tensions over how cross-party support for Tinubu should be organised while protecting the APC’s own electoral interests.
The latest development places the FCT National Assembly contests within a wider political debate over alliances ahead of 2027. The reported withdrawals could affect the dynamics of the affected constituencies, although the eventual electoral outcome will depend on the candidates and parties remaining in the race and voters’ decisions.