A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s reported victories in last week’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a “political illusion.”
Speaking at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Hashim argued that several of the APC’s winners were formerly PDP members who defected under pressure, creating what he termed a misleading perception of the ruling party’s strength in the FCT.
“In reality, the contest was PDP versus PDP,” he said. “What we witnessed was the deployment of massive resources and state institutions to manufacture the appearance of competition.”
Hashim maintained that the FCT remains a traditional PDP stronghold and cautioned party members against narratives he described as engineered to distort electoral realities. He urged supporters to remain united and intensify grassroots mobilisation, stressing that genuine political strength derives from popular support rather than manipulated outcomes.
The meeting was attended by chairmen from the six FCT Area Councils, ward leaders, and members of the PDP State Executive Committee.
In a show of solidarity, FCT PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ismail Mohammed Dogara, moved a motion reaffirming the chapter’s support for Hashim’s 2027 presidential ambition. The motion was seconded by PDP Board of Trustees member, Honourable Isa Dobi, and received broad endorsement from attendees.
Stakeholders also commended Hashim for backing party candidates before and during the Area Council elections. They called for the immediate release of party members reportedly detained by security agencies, alleging the arrests were intended to influence the electoral process.
Political observers say the developments underscore intensifying rivalry between the PDP and APC in the FCT ahead of the 2027 general elections, as both parties seek to consolidate influence in the nation’s capital.
