End of the road for Lawan? Senate President says will not appeal Machina victory

Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, says he will not appeal the judgment delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State, with respect to the forthcoming Yobe North Senatorial District elections.

The court had declared Bashir Sheriff Machina as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North, in the 2023 National Assembly election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish his name accordingly.

Presiding judge, Justice Fadima Aminu, affirmed that Machina was duly and validly elected Yobe North senatorial candidate for APC, during the May 28, 2022 primary election of the party.

Lawan said in a statement which he personally signed and released on Thursday that he has accepted the judgment of the court which disqualified his candidature and participation in the elections.

The statement titled: “Court Judgement on Yobe North Senatorial District Candidacy” reads:

“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.

READ: Yobe North: Court declares Machina APC candidate, Senate President Lawan in limbo

“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”.

The lawmaker assured his constituents that he will continue to serve them both personally and in 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 stated.