Following the decision of Mr. Julius Adamu, the PDP’s candidate for chairperson in the Saturday FCT area council election, to resign in favor of Mr. Joshua Ishaku, his APC opponent, there have been conflicting reactions.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Bwari, several locals voiced their concerns about actual democracy, while others applauded the action.
According to NAN, Adamu, who was running on the PDP platform, proclaimed his support for the APC candidate and withdrew from the race on Wednesday.
He stated that the decision followed consultations with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Adamu went on to say that the action was done “in the interest of unity and peace,” and he urged his followers to support the APC candidate in order to guarantee success in the election.
James Ambo, a local resident, stated that decisions like this, made just three days before the election, might only benefit the politicians and not the people.
It may be motivated by wealth, prestige, or the interests of the powerful, which, regrettably, works against the interests of the common people who want real democracy to win out.
“It is quite regrettable that nobody is concerned about our supporters’ and voters’ feelings in any of these situations. They solely consider their personal interests, according to Ambo.
“Democracy in politics is meant to bring hope to the people and not a game of power and control to a particular group or persons,” according to another resident, Mr. Elekwachi Stephen.
This clearly indicates that we already have an election winner, and it appears that this may have been arranged from the start, as had been rumored.
“Whether individual or collective, Adamu’s decision has hurt many hearts with sincere support for constitutional rights, but obviously, the views or interests of the masses do not count,” he stated.
Additionally, Stephen voiced his worry that the action would discourage some voters from casting ballots on Saturday out of anxiety that their votes might not be counted.
Miss Abigail Dauda, another resident, expressed her frustration with the entire process and her lack of interest in the person chosen to serve as the local council chairman.
According to Dauda, society may be a better place free from evil if only politicians would put aside their “selfish intentions” and truly lead the populace with good intents and a fear of God.
But according to another neighbor, Mr. Caleb Abaji, Adamu made a commendable choice that showed “true followership of a disciple to his leader.”
He asserts that both parties have demonstrated that, in spite of their political disagreements, they are prepared to make concessions in order to advance democracy and serve the people of the Federal Capital Territory.
“It is no longer about the parties, but rather about people who can deliver for the people and have genuine leadership characteristics and vision. Therefore, we have to support the better days that lie ahead,” Abaji stated.
According to Madam Comfort Elias, “Only the divinely chosen makes it to the end of the race,” thus the action is merely God’s will.
However, Elias called on all the good-hearted members of the local council to cast their votes in large numbers on Saturday in support of the area’s advancement and growth.
According to NAN, the Supreme Court confirmed on Monday that Mr. Joshua Ishaku is the legitimate APC candidate for chairmanship in the Saturday area council election.
The disagreement over the legitimate APC chairperson candidate for the area council election was settled by a five-member panel of the highest court, presided over by Justice Jamilu Tukur, in a resounding four-to-one ruling.
In the ruling, Tukur overturned the Court of Appeal, Abuja’s majority ruling that had maintained the Federal High Court’s ruling designating Mr. Haruna Audi as the APC leadership candidate. (NAN)
