The All Progressives Congress has submitted the names of Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Senate, and Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the party’s senatorial candidates.
The submission on Friday comes amid the refusal of winners of the senatorial primaries to step down for the duo.
Lawan and Akpabio had gunned for the presidential ticket of their party and while they were at it, the senatorial primaries of their respective Districts were held.
While Lawan is from Yobe North Senatorial District, Akpabio hails from Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District.
The primaries for Yobe North Senatorial District were won by Bashir Machina, while a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom, defeated other candidates for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.
By the time Lawan and Akpabio lost their presidential bid, with the Minister stepping down for the eventual winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, both Machina and Ekpoudom refused to step down for them.
While another primary was conducted in Akpabio’s District, which he won, none was held in Yobe North Senatorial District.
The INEC has however refused to accept the rerun primaries of the APC in Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.
It said Ekpoudom remains the recognized candidate for the District.
The APC, however, submitted the names of Lawan and Akpabio to the INEC on Friday.
