**FCT Elections: A Blow to Democracy in Nigeria's Capital** As Nigerians go to the polls this weekend to vote for their Area Council chairmen in Abuja, a shocking development has emerged that threatens to undermine the democratic process. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused some of its candidates of withdrawing from the contest without the party's consent, paving the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to sweep the polls. According to the PDP, two of its chairmanship candidates in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have withdrawn from the race and endorsed APC candidates, following the intervention of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. The move has been widely condemned by the PDP leadership, who see it as a deliberate attempt to weaken the party ahead of future elections. The FCT's Area Councils are the administrative structure closest to the people, responsible for providing essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Electing the right leaders to these councils is crucial for the well-being of Abuja residents. However, the withdrawal of PDP candidates has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, has accused former party leaders who were expelled from the party of manipulating the candidates to withdraw from the contest. He warned that this development is a pointer to a larger scheme to weaken the PDP ahead of future elections, including the 2027 presidential election. If the PDP is weakened in Abuja, it could have far-reaching implications for the party's fortunes in future elections. The party has been a dominant force in Nigerian politics for decades, but the withdrawal of its candidates in the FCT could be a sign of a deeper crisis within the party. As Nigerians go to the polls this weekend, they will be watching closely to see if the PDP can recover from this setback and maintain its relevance in Nigerian politics.