Ahmad Lawan has defeated Bashir Machina at the Supreme Court over the contested position of the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe north.

The Supreme Court affirmed the appeal filed by the APC against Bashir Machina’s candidature in a majority judgment delivered. In the judgement on Monday, February 06, 2023, the apex court recognised Lawan as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe north senatorial seat.

Lawan, who did not take part in the Yobe North senatorial primary, but had his party sent his name to INEC as its candidate. The electoral body refused to recognise him in line with the Electoral Act.

Though Machina won the primary, but has been under pressure to step down for Lawan headed to court to seek justice as the bonafide candidate of the senatorial seat.

Though Lawan had said last year that he would not challenge the decisions of the lower courts, which affirmed Bashir Machina as the rightful candidate of APC for Yobe North.

Machina, said to be a former member of the House of Representatives, had defeated the Senate President at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

APC had filed Bashir Machina, who was earlier recognised by the Federal High Court in Damaturu and Court of Appeal in Abuja as APC candidate for the election.