DAILY NIGERIAN reports that pressure was mounted on Mr Machina by the state and national headquarters of the party as well as some notable individuals to withdraw his candidacy for Mr Lawan.
Mr Lawan, who abandoned the senatorial contest to vie for the plum presidential ticket of the party, lost the presidential primaries to Bola Tinubu.
In a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN on Sunday, Mr Machina however insisted that he was still in the race and did not withdraw or resign from the party.
“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 anytime 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that some persons concocted plans to mislead the public particularly my supporters into believing that I have withdrawn.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 authors’ inadequacies and lack of sufficient administrative knowledge.
“Although we suspect that this letter may be another fake news and the hand work of enemies of peace, yet the APC’s National secretariat must speak up on it since it is carrying the official stamp of the secretariat.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have not resigned nor withdrawn my candidature, I am in APC and have no intention to move to any party.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),” Mr Machina said.
