Nigerian Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has said the Supreme Court Judgement on the disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) Yobe North Senatorial ticket in February 25th National Assembly was democracy at work.
Reacting to the judgement on Monday, Lawan said it’s a victory for all APC in Yobe, generally for APC across the country and for democracy.
According to him, “What happened was democracy at work. The lower courts gave their various judgements and then the Supreme Court gave the final judgement”, the Senate President added.
The Supreme Court on Monday declared Senate President Ahmad as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District for the 25 February general election.
The court made the declaration in a three-against-two split judgement of its five-member panel while the panel was led by Centus Nweze.
The majority judgement held that the decisions of the Federal High Court in Yobe and the Court of Appeal in Abuja “were perverse and must be set aside.”
The APC had challenged the judgements of the lower courts which affirmed Bashir Machina as the candidate of Yobe North Senatorial District for the election.
The Senate President commended the Supreme Court and infact the judiciary generally for delivering this kind of judgement to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for taking this matter to the Supreme Court”.
Lawan made it clear that he didn’t, as an individual, go to Supreme Court to seek redress. But his party and the people of Yobe North, Yobe State generally, many political associates, well wishers and supporters across the country who showed interest did.
He said, “So today, this victory is for all of us involved. I am the symbol but the victory is for our party, the APC and for democracy.
“I want to thank all my colleagues for the support, the love, the partnership. I recommit myself to ensuring that the leadership of the Senate will continue to lead very well, will always be appreciative of our colleagues who have given us the mandate to lead the ninth Senate.
“Now, we will be looking at the 25th of February when the Presidential and National Assembly elections will take place. By the Grace of God, Nigeria will vote APC once again”, Senate President said.