‎The office of the former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has rejected allegations by Hon Hassan Hussaini Kafayos over his disqualification from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Yobe North Senatorial District, describing them as unfounded.

‎In a statement signed by the Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, the office said it was necessary to clarify the misrepresentations to avoid misleading the public, noting that Kafayos had admitted during his press conference that the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction and was therefore sub judice.

‎He said it was inconsistent for Kafayos to seek judicial redress and still proceed to publicly dissect issues pending before the court.

‎”When a matter is before a court, all parties are expected to exercise restraint and allow the judicial process to run its full course,” the statement said, faulting Kafayos’ claim that his disqualification was the personal doing of Senator Lawan.

‎It stressed that decisions on party primaries rest entirely with the APC in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, not with any individual.

‎”Senator Lawan is not the party, and the party’s administrative decisions cannot be ascribed to him,” Tabiowo stated, adding that joining Lawan in the suit raises questions about the motive behind the legal action.

‎On public support, the statement cited 2023 election results to counter claims that Yobe North is yearning for change, disclosing that Lawan polled 91,318 votes to defeat his closest PDP challenger who scored 22,849 votes, a margin of over 68,000 votes.

‎The office further highlighted Lawan’s record in the district, including facilitation of infrastructure, employment opportunities, empowerment programmes and attracting federal presence to the zone.

‎It also referenced his tenure as President of the 9th Senate from 2019 to 2023, which it said was marked by legislative stability and passage of critical bills for national development.

‎The statement also addressed a personal issue, alleging that Senator Lawan facilitated sponsorship for Kafayos’ wife to pursue Masters and PhD studies in the United States, adding that a nominee presented by Kafayos in 2022 was employed in the Senate Public Accounts Committee.

‎”These are not the actions of a man who regards Hon Kafayos as an adversary. That these acts of benevolence are now repaid with public disparagement is deeply disappointing,” the statement said.

‎The office concluded that Senator Lawan remains focused on quality representation for Yobe North and urged all parties to allow the court to determine the matter.