A CANDIDATE of the All Progressives Congress and winner of Yobe North Senatorial District, Bashir Sheriff Machina, says he has the backing of the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, not to step down for Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
This comes after Lawan lost the APC presidential ticket to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the party convention in Eagles Square.
Lawan, who had since returned to his base to secure the party’s senatorial ticket for the Yobe North constituency, met strong resistance from Machina.
Lawan had earlier replaced himself with Machina, who he entrusted with the task to carry on with the campaign to secure the APC ticket for the Yobe North Senatorial seat.
The tension reached a climax last Friday when supporters of Machina organised a solidarity protest where they swore that the candidate won’t step down for Lawan, who has repeatedly represented the constituency since 2007.
A defiant Machina had taken a step further to also write the leadership of the party on Monday, saying he is unwilling to give the mandate as he would rather prefer to slug it out with candidates of other political parties ahead of the February 25 elections.
But speaking tonight in an interview on Channels TV, Machina claimed to have the support of Tinubu and Governor Mai Mala Buni not to withdraw.
He said Lawan has paid his dues after 16 years in the National Assembly.
He, however, assured that he is experienced to replace the veteran legislator.
