By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The All Progressive Candidate (APC) senatorial candidate of Yobe Senatorial District, Bashir Machina has said he has not stepped down for Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
He spoke amid reports that the party has substituted his name with that of the Senate President and has forwarded same to INEC.
He said: “As you all know, I am the APC senatorial candidate of Yobe Senatorial District.
“I scored 289 votes from an election which was held free, fair, peaceful and harmoniously
“Going by the guidelines of the senatorial or National Assembly, primary elections for 2023 general election were held according to the Electoral Act. Ballots were cast transparently and openly.
On the day of the primary elections as scheduled, I emerged the winner. We submitted the results to the national headquarters of my party, the APC
“Ironically, this evening, I heard from credible sources that my name was misrepresented. My name was removed from the list sent by the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission. I don’t know whether erroneously or deliberately so.
For the avoidance of doubt, I remain the senatorial candidate of Yobe North senatorial district duly elected on the platform of the APC.
I did not withdraw for anybody and will not withdraw because that is as a matter of right. Removing my name; I consider is very undemocratic, illegal and of course inhuman.”
I will check; I will take measures first by reminding and appealing to my party. If this action is truly done erroneously, it should be corrected. And if it is deliberate, we are actually seeking for redress from the National Working Committee of our party under the leadership of Senator Abdullahi Adamu.”