The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Yobe North senatorial election, Bashir Sheriff Machina, has refused to step down for Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan contested the ruling party’s presidential ticket but lost to Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos, among others.
Machina, who spoke to Daily Trust, said he has been approached by some people to relinquish the ticket, but that he would not be doing so.
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The candidate said he was not opposed by any senatorial hopeful for the ticket because “I was the one that was qualified.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I contested for the Yobe north senatorial ticket and I won the election,” the candidate said.
“I was confirmed elected because there were other contestants but I was the one that was qualified. I happened to be unopposed.
“I am still the candidate; I have not withdrawn and I will not withdraw for anybody. I am being approached by some persons but I will not withdraw, Insha Allah,” he said.
Machina, in a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, reaffirmed his commitment to his stance as the candidate of the party.
The letter dated 13 June, 2022 read: “I write to reaffirm my continual aspiration as the All Progressive Congress unequivocal senatorial candidate for Yobe North senatorial District, following my clearance, participation, and victory at the party primaries where I pulled 289 votes out of 300 total votes cast.
“I write to reaffirm that I remain committed to the mandate which I won at the primaries, and I have not in any form or manner communicated otherwise. I have been informed of a purported malicious, and mischievous report and insinuation to the contrary.
“Please note that I have never at any time, signed or communicated in any form, any intent to vacate the mandate, which was won at the primaries. I am totally committed to my mandate and am working towards delivering Yobe North Senatorial District to our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”