By After failing to secure the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate President Ahmad Lawan appears to be having serious difficulties to achieve his backup plan to return to the upper legislative chamber.
It would be recalled that Lawan had contested at the recently concluded presidential primary of the ruling party. Despite the pronouncement by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu that he was the consensus candidate, the Senate President placed fourth in the primary after he managed to poll 152 votes.
The APC National Leader and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had emerged as the party’s presidential flagbearer with his 1,271 votes — after seven aspirants stepped down to back his candidacy.
In what may be a considered a last-minute ditch to avoid losing twice, Lawan is reportedly making efforts to secure the APC ticket for his constituency, Yobe North Senatorial District.
However, Bashir Machina who clinched the APC senatorial ticket, is said to have kicked against the move and refusing to relinquish the ticket to Lawan who didn’t take part in the primary, according to unconfirmed reports.
This development means that the Senate President — who has been in the National Assembly since 1999 — will not be returning to the legislative chamber for the first time in 23 years.
