It is a double whammy for the President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan as the winner of the Yobe North APC senatorial primaries, Bashir Machina, refused to step down for him.
Mr Lawan, who represents Yobe North in the Senate, contested and lost a bid to secure the APC presidential ticket at the party’s national convention held on June 8, where Bola Tinubu emerged the winner.
The president of the Senate was initially touted as the consensus candidate of the party, but 13 Northern governors kicked against the idea of retaining power in the North.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that since the winner of the senatorial primaries refused to step down, the Senate president is now mounting pressure on the presidency to get back his senatorial ticket.
All effort by Mr Lawan’s cronies to convince Mr Machina to step down for the president of the Senate failed as the senatorial candidate insisted that he won’t withdraw.
According to sources, Mr Lawan was secretly given the INEC form by the APC headquarters to fill for submission, although he didn’t submit himself for party screening and didn’t participate in the senatorial primary election which took place in Gashua town on May 28.
In the primaries, Mr Machina, who was the sole candidate, got 289 votes.
According to sources, Mr Lawan, in concert with the APC National Vice Chairman, North East, Mustapha Salihu, is trying to ‘forcefully take over’ the ticket from Mr Machina.
When contacted on the allegations, the APC National Vice Chairman, North East said he never interfered in the local party decisions in Yobe.
“I don’t interfere with local party arrangement in states. Yobe has its own unique way of primaries, which is a general consensus.
“All aspirants who obtained the party’s nomination forms nationwide have filled the withdrawal forms, which is a clear consent to withdraw in case of any superior interest, and with the consent of the party stakeholders in the state.
“I’m aware that it is a national party policy for aspirants who lost the presidential ticket to return to their seats in the Senate. You can see Godswill Akpabio has already reclaimed his senatorial ticket,” Mr Salihu added.
Haba! Ahmed Lawan, did you step down for Tinubu? Or the senate na your Papa house?
Please, don’t withdraw to Ahmad lawan
Please Mr Macina, exercise your rights and do not step down for him totally. National Assembly is not his home.
I think the situation with Ahmad Lawan is a difficult one. I believe he is a good man who has done much for his country.
However, I disagree with how he is trying to take over the ticket from Bashir Machina.
It is unfair to Machina, and I believe that the people of Yobe North should have a say in who their senator is.
I appreciate the fact that Lawan is trying to represent his constituents. Still, I believe there should be a more democratic process.
What do you think?
Do you believe that Lawan is acting in the best interest of his constituents?
Or do you think that he is only looking out for himself?
He is only looking out for himself, he’s a greedy and useless to NIGERIA as a country.
Mr lawan should mentions status quo and accepts to stayed at home, National Assembly is for everyone, no one is born to be there permanently, if the sanat position is sweet mr lawan would there, he feels is wise to a c7 Ronaldo.
Thank God, the electoral act 2022 as amended strictly give rooms all legal action in the court.
The electoral act, specifically spell out process to emerged party ticket bearer, mr lawan should exercise patience and accepts partmentally retirement from politics, Mr lawan, even in the red chamber he was not performed so Good for him.
With the signing of that withdrawal form, Mallam Machina’s fate is now in the hands of the National Headquarters.
Ahmed Lawan didbnot stepped down for Tinubu, Ahmed Lawan did not participate in the parties primaries for the senate in Yobe north. In view of this, how could he claim the ticket? Is it his birth right to be in senate permanently?
I am strongly supporting Machina not to step down. Most likely, Machina may be compensated by Ahmed Lawan as is the norms of our political elites. But, the question is how and where did they acquire that wealth of compensation? In that case the ticket bearer should go there and acquire the wealth as well.
Ahmed lawal come home and be with ur people,bcs now ur tenure is over. Machina congratulations whish u luck for the upcoming general election come 2023
Ahmed is selfish he has been their for 23years na his house abeg make he shift make Machina
Mr Machina if you stepdown for Ahmad Lawan what are you saying to people’s of yobe North who voted you as right at the right time, Please don’t do that
you’re our choice now not Lawan.
Remember Ahmed lawan is now in his 24 years at national assembly we need to change him because national assembly is not a Ibrahim lawan House
Ahmed Lawan your time is off at the National Assembly, just accept what life has offered you in 2023 general election. Congratulations to Senator Machina