The Supreme Court has just affirmed Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, as the All-Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Yobe North.
In a majority rule judgment delivered on Monday, February 6, the apex court allowed the appeal filed by the APC against Bashir Machina’s win.
Recall that there have been several controversies over the APC Yobe North Senatorial ticket after Machina, at a primary election organized by the party in May 2022 won the ticket unopposed. Lawal had not participated Senate in the primary election as he was busy pursuing his presidential ambition after which he lost to former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
APC had then submitted Lawan’s name instead of Machina’s, a move that led to the intentional omission of their names from the published particulars of valid candidates in June 2022.
INEC had then sought to clarify the brewing controversy around the seat, on several occasions while rejecting the senate president’s name because he had not been validly nominated for the senatorial seat.
The commission had then urged the duo to resolve their issues internally or seek redress in the courtroom.