Finally, the All Progressive Congress’ contentious senatorial campaign for Yobe North has been addressed by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan said that the ruling demonstrated that “democracy is at work” on Monday at his guest house in Maitama, Abuja. He praised the judiciary for advancing democracy.
The Yobe North senatorial race was decided by the Supreme Court early on Monday, when Bashir Machina, who had won the election on May 28, was defeated by Lawan.
According to The PUNCH, Lawan informed Nigerians that he accepted the court’s decision in Damaturu and would not file an appeal.
Nevertheless, the APC declared Lawan the winner after taking Machina to the Supreme Court and claiming that Lawan, who did not run in the primary election, was its “authentic candidate.”
While addressing journalists after the judgement of the apex court, Lawan said, “Let me start by thanking God for his blessing and of course for what had happened today in the Supreme Court, the judgment on Yobe North particularly is a victory for APC in Yobe and generally APC across the country.
“What happened was democracy at work and the courts gave their various judgments and of course, the Supreme Court gave the final judgement. I want to at this point commend the Supreme Court and of course the judiciary generally for making this kind of judgement to strengthen our democracy because it is not only for politicians to work and strengthen democracy. All institutions have their roles to play. So I commend them.”
He added, “Let me take this opportunity to thank the All Progressives Congress our party for taking this matter to the Supreme Court. Actually, as an individual, I didn’t go to the Supreme Court to seek redress but my party did, and my people of Yobe North and Yobe State generally and many political associates and well-wishers across the country and beyond pushed for an appeal at the Supreme Court on this matter.
“So today it is a victory for all of us involved. I am the symbol but the victory is for our party the APC and for democracy.”
Lawan, once again re-echoed his support for the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima assuring them of a landslide victory.
The senate president stated, “We will be looking at the 25th of February when the Presidential and the National Assembly elections will take place. By the Grace of God Nigerians will Vote for APC once again.
“On the 25th the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu (Jagaban), will be voted in as President of Nigeria by the grace of God alongside distinguished senator Kashim Shetima who is the vice presidential candidate.
“When it comes to the senatorial and House of Representatives, you know what it will be. It will be a landslide majority for the APC and the same thing for the House of reps
“We will continue to give Nigeria leadership to continue with those programs and projects that we have been doing very well and rethink those that we think we have not done very well. This I believe will make Nigeria better.”