A faction of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria has voiced strong criticism regarding the recent withdrawals of several chairmanship candidates from the forthcoming local council elections in Abuja. The National Working Committee of the party expressed 'utter dismay' over this development, labeling it as fundamentally anti-democratic. In their statement, they underscored their concern about the implications of these withdrawals for the party's integrity and leadership effectiveness.

The party leadership referred to the situation as indicative of a broader issue within the PDP, pointing blame at certain leaders for what they term 'voodoo democracy.' They argue that these actions are not just detrimental to the electoral process but also reflect a troubling trend of sidelining legitimate candidates for personal or political gain. This rhetoric underscores the faction's belief that the integrity of the party and its democratic principles are at stake and calls for accountability among the leadership.

Furthermore, the situation brings to light ongoing tensions within the PDP, which may have implications for its electoral performance and overall cohesion moving forward. The party's ability to effectively manage internal conflicts and uphold democratic values will be crucial as it approaches the elections, with the potential to impact both local governance in Abuja and the larger political landscape in Nigeria.