Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has finally recognised Bashir Machina as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Yobe North Senatorial Distric in the 2023 general elections.
Lawan and Machina have been locked in a fierce battle for the senatorial ticket since June.
But on Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Machina as the authentic candidate for the senatorial district.
Reacting in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Lawan, who was first elected into the House of Representatives in 1999, said he had accepted the judgement of the court.
The statement, titled: ‘Court Judgement on Yobe North Senatorial District Candidacy,’ read: “Yesterday, Wednesday, 28th September, 2022, the Federal High Court in Damaturu delivered judgement on the rightful candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District for the 2023 National Assembly elections. The said judgement disqualifies my candidature and therefore my participation in the elections.
“After due consultations with my political associates, supporters and well-wishers, I have decided not to appeal against the judgement. I accept the judgement. At this juncture, I deem it appropriate to thank His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, for the leadership role in the APC political family in Yobe State. I also thank His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni for the support and brotherhood.
“To my constituents, I thank you all for your unflinching support, loyalty and unreserved commitment to the course of building our people and Yobe North Senatorial District and indeed Yobe State. I want to assure you that I will continue to serve you in my personal and any other capacity at all times.
“We journeyed together for a long time, and this journey will remain a life long journey. It has been a wonderful relationship and it can only get stronger. I am indebted to you all. Alhamdulillah.”
Lawan’s road out of the National Assembly began when he contested the presidential primaries of the ruling party but lost to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Although he did not take part in the senatorial primary, the party had sent his name to INEC as the candidate but the electoral body refused to acknowledge him.
Machina, who won the primary had refused all entreaties to step down for Lawan, and went to court to seek redress.
