Bashir Sheriff Machina, who won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yobe North senatorial ticket has denied stepping down or withdrawing from the ruling party.
Lifestyle Nigeria reports that Machina in a statement denied ever withdrawing from the race and the party.
The social media was awash with a letter purportedly written by Machina withdrawing from the race and resigning from APC.
The letter dated September 4, 2022 reads: “I write to notify you of my resignation from the APC. I am by this letter also informing you of my withdrawal from the Yobe North Senatorial race.
“These decisions were taken due to my reasons related to a misunderstanding between me and the leadership of the party in Yobe State. I hope to reconcile the issues closed-door but unfortunately, I was not opportune to make it.
“It’s my pleasure to use this medium to thank all my supporters for your solidarity and love. I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I also wish you the best of luck in service to the party.”
Machina insisted that the purported letter was a forged and fake document.
He said, “It is brought to my notice that some unscrupulous elements have forged my withdrawal letter out of mischief and blackmail.
“I want to state unequivocally that the purported letter was forged. I did not at any time withdraw nor resign from my party.
“I was shocked when I discovered that some persons concocted plans to mislead the public, particularly my supporters into believing that I have withdrawn.
“The discrepancies between the two dates especially between the date of writing the purported letter and the date it was received exposed the author’s inadequacies and lack of sufficient administrative knowledge.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have not resigned nor withdrawn my candidature, I am in APC and have no intention to move to any party. I will (insha Allah) pursue my senatorial ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
“I have already instructed my lawyers to review the fake letter and take necessary legal actions against the culprit(s).”