In advance of the 2023 National Assembly elections, the Yobe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress announced on Friday that it would challenge the Wednesday court decision recognizing Bashir Machina as the APC candidate for the state’s North Senatorial District.
A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu had ordered the APC leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Machina as the party’s candidate for the Yobe North senatorial seat.
Following the ruling, Lawan in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen said he had accepted the decision of the court and was not going to appeal the verdict.
However, Yobe State APC Chairman, Mohammed Gadaka, is kicking against the decision by the Senate President.
In a statement released on Friday, he claimed that Lawan is still the party’s legitimate candidate for the Yobe North senatorial district election as recognised by the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee of the APC.
He said, “We are aware of the Wednesday, September 28, 2022, ruling of the Federal High Court in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, with respect to the forthcoming Yobe North Senatorial District election.
“However, we respectfully reject the decision of the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Ahmad Lawan, accepting the judgment of the court which disqualified his candidature and participation in the election.
“In exercise of our legal rights, the Yobe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has decided to appeal the Federal High Court ruling in the interest of Yobe State, Nigeria, and good governance.
“We have a duty to protect and sustain Senator Ahmed Lawan’s 23 years exemplary sojourn as a lawmaker and his impeccable record of leadership and patriotism – and commitment to making Nigeria work.”