As the 2027 political season gathers momentum in Yobe North, the fallout from the APC senatorial primaries has spilled into the public arena. Hon. Hassan Hussaini Kafayos has cried foul over his disqualification, but the camp of Senator Ahmad Lawan says the claims are misplaced, legally inconsistent, and at odds with the district’s electoral history. What is unfolding is more than a party dispute, it is a test of decorum, record, and respect for democratic institutions, Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka Our Managing Editor reports.
On Monday, July 20, 2026, the media office of Senator Ahmad Lawan issued a detailed response to a press conference addressed by Hon. Kafayos regarding his exclusion from the APC primary for Yobe North.
The statement, signed by Media Adviser Ezrel Tabiowo, acknowledged Kafayos’ right to ventilate grievances but warned against misleading the public.
A central concern raised was propriety. Hon. Kafayos himself confirmed that he has taken the matter to court, meaning it is sub judice.
“By his own admission, he has submitted his grievances for judicial determination,” the statement noted. “It is therefore inconsistent to dissect those same issues at a press conference.”
Legal convention, the Lawan camp argued, demands restraint once litigation begins. “The honourable course would have been to keep his peace and trust the court to do justice.”
The second point of contention was the target of the grievance. Hon. Kafayos appeared to blame Senator Lawan personally for the disqualification.
The response called this a fundamental error. “The decision regarding who participates in party primaries rests entirely with the political party,” it stated.
This principle, it added, is grounded in the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which empower parties to manage their internal processes.
“Senator Lawan is not the party,” the statement emphasized. “It is difficult to comprehend the rationale behind joining him in a suit over an APC administrative decision.”
The release then turned to the issue of public support, where it said Hon. Kafayos’ claims do not match the record.
In the 2023 general elections, Senator Lawan won Yobe North with 91,318 votes. His PDP challenger polled 22,849 votes.
“That margin of well over 68,000 votes is now being dismissed,” the statement said. “The numbers remain the most objective measure of a representative’s standing.”
Beyond votes, the camp cited Lawan’s performance: infrastructure projects across the district, employment and empowerment programs, and attraction of federal presence.
His leadership as President of the 9th Senate from 2019 to 2023 was also highlighted, with reference to legislative stability and passage of critical national bills.
In an unusual personal turn, the statement recalled acts of goodwill toward Hon. Kafayos and his family.
It said Senator Lawan facilitated sponsorship for Kafayos’ wife to undertake Masters and PhD studies in the United States, and in 2022 secured a Senate job for his nominee.
“These are not the actions of a man who regards Hon. Kafayos as an adversary,” the statement said, describing the current attacks as disappointing and a campaign to bring the Senator’s name into disrepute.
The office concluded by urging all sides to allow the court to decide. It said Senator Lawan remains focused on his mandate. “His commitment to quality representation and the development of Yobe North remains his main focus.”
