The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has accepted the ruling of the Federal High Court which gave the Yobe North Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Bashir Machina.
Lawan has for months been battling to get the ticket off Machina who won a validly conducted primary while Lawan contested for the party’s Presidential ticket.
24 hours after a Federal High Court ruling, Lawan issued a statement on Thursday afternoon and vowed not to appeal.
Lawan has been in the National Assembly since 1999, first in the House of Representatives before being voted to represent Yobe North in the Senate.
The statement read in full:
“On 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 judgment. I accept the judgment.
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.”