SENATORIAL TICKET squabble, between Ahmed Lawan, incumbent Senate President, and Bashir Machina, on who picks the Yobe North Senatorial ticket of ruling All Progressives, APC, got settled through the judgement of a Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State, by Justice Fadima Aminu.
Justice Aminu declared Bashir Machina the authentic APC candidate for Yobe North Senatorial ticket for the 2023 national assembly election, and directed APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to accept and publish the name of Machina as required by law.
Trouble began when Ahmed Lawan lost his bid to pick the APC’s presidential tick, at the primary in June 2022, won by Bola Tinubu. At the time Lawan was pursuing his presidential ambition, the APC senatorial primary for Yobe North ticket was held, observed by INEC, and Machina was declared winner.
Ahmed Lawan returned to Yobe North senatorial zone, to reclaim the ticket won by Machina, which he presently occupies as Senate President. Under untidied circumstances, the national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, forwarded Lawan’s name to INEC as the party’s recognised candidate for Yobe North Senatorial ticket.
INEC, following its rules, regulations and Electoral Act, due to the controversies on who is the authentic candidates by the APC’s submission, declined to enlist either Ahmed Lawan or Bashir Machina, as the recognised candidate for Yobe North Senatorial ticket, on the Commission’s published list of senatorial candidates to contest the 2023 election.
Analysts and observers believe this may not be the end of the rift to pick the Yobe North Senatorial ticket.
