The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will appeal the ruling of the Damaturu Division of the Federal High Court which dismissed President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan as the party’s flag bearer for Yobe North Senatorial District.

Muhammed Gadaka, the Yobe State chairman of the party disclosed the party’s position on Friday in Abuja following the ruling of the court and Mr Lawan’s decision not to appeal it.

The court had on Wednesday 28, September, in a ruling by Justice Fatima Murtala Aminu, ruled in favour of Bashir Machina against the Senate President, and recognised the former as the bonafide candidate to fly the APC flag in the 2023 election. 

However, despite Mr Lawan’s stance to obey the court’s order, the party promised to fight on, saying it would not accept the high court ruling

“We are aware of the Wednesday, September 28, 2022, ruling of the Federal High Court in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, concerning the forthcoming Yobe North Senatorial District election.

“However, we respectfully reject the decision of the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Ahmad Lawan, accepting the judgment of the court which disqualified his candidature and participation in the election.

“In exercise of our legal rights, the Yobe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to appeal the Federal High Court ruling in the interest of Yobe State, Nigeria and good governance. We must protect and sustain Senator Ahmed Lawan’s twenty-three years exemplary sojourn as a lawmaker and his impeccable record of leadership and patriotism – and commitment to making Nigeria work,” the party said in a statement.

Justice Aminu had earlier ordered the party to submit Mr Machina’s name to INEC, and that the Commission should publish his name as the APC candidate in the 2023 election.