Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, has accepted the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, noting that he would not be appealing the decision, and has accepted Bashir Machina as the rightful candidate of All progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District.
Machina had approached the Federal High Court seeking an order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish his name as the winner of the May 28 APC senatorial primary election for Yobe North.
The judge dismissed the primary election where the Senate President emerged as the senatorial candidate as “phantom.”
Lawan who had participated in the presidential primary of the APC and lost to Tinubu, went for the ticket of his senatorial district, a move which created controversy between him and Machina who asserted that he duly participated in the primaries and won the ticket.
Reacting to the court judgment in a statement on Thursday, Lawan said he would not be appealing the decision, and has accepted Machina is the rightful candidate.
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“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 statement reads.
“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.
“We journeyed together for a long time, and this journey will remain a lifelong journey. It has been a wonderful relationship and it can only get stronger. I am indebted to you all. Alhamdulillah.”