Yobe: Appeal Court upholds Machina’s victory in APC senatorial primary

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the nomination of Bashir Sheriff (Machina) as the authentic candidate of the All Prigressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District.

A three-member panel led by Justice Monica Dagban-Mesah on Monday upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court in Damaturu which upheld Machina’s nomination.

The appellate court observed that the APC argued its case and that of Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in its brief, but failed to make him a co-appellant, instead of being the 2nd respondent.

The high court had upheld the May 28 primary that produced Machina, sacked Lawan and ordered the APC to forward Machina’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the authentic candidate.

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The court held that the primary election conducted by the APC on June 9 was invalid, as it was not monitored by INEC, which is a gross violation of the electoral act.

Machina had at the high court contended that the attempt to replace violated Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, Article 21.3 of the APC Constitution and Paragraphs 20 (c), 27 (c), (d) and (f) of the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Elections.