By The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognized Bashir Machina as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District.
This development means that the electoral umpire has rejected the candidacy of Senate President Ahmad Lawan who didn’t partake in the primary held on May 28.
A certified true copy of INEC report of the exercise shows that Machina won the primary and legally emerged as candidate.
It would be recalled that Machina had vowed that he would not step down for the Senate President — who unsuccessfully contested at the APC presidential primary won by a former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Interestingly, Lawan’s name made it to the list of APC senatorial candidates for 2023 elections, a move that has since attracted heavy criticisms against the ruling party.
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu had insisted that Lawan participated in a primary, warning Machina to watch his comments. He, however, failed to disclose details about the said primary.
The decision of INEC to recognise Machina against all odds marks the end of the road for Lawan whose stint in the National Assembly finally ends in 2023 after over two decades.
