NEWS
Police Invite APC Presidential Aspirant Bayero Lawal Over Suit Against Party, INEC
Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have invited Alhaji Bayero Lawal, a presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for questioning over a suit he instituted against the ruling party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Lawal, a founding member of the APC and a politician from Gombe State, was invited by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) amid an ongoing investigation in which the police said his name had featured prominently.
Although the police stated in the invitation letter that Lawal was being summoned to provide clarification regarding an investigation, sources indicated that his legal action against the APC may have triggered concerns within the party, particularly following his challenge to the process surrounding the party’s 2027 presidential primary arrangements.
Lawal had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja after alleging that he was denied access to the expression of interest and nomination forms required to contest the APC presidential primary against incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
The legal action also listed the APC Presidential Screening Committee and INEC as defendants, setting the stage for a judicial examination of the party’s internal procedures and the rights of its members to participate in the nomination process.
The development followed the APC’s decision in May to waive the screening requirement for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential primary. The party declared the President duly cleared in accordance with its constitution and internal procedures.
The decision was reportedly taken by the APC National Working Committee at its 188th meeting held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
However, on May 21, Lawal, through his lawyer, Basil S. Kpenkpen, Esq., instituted proceedings at the Federal High Court, challenging what he described as the denial of his opportunity to obtain the expression of interest and nomination forms to participate in the presidential contest.
In his originating summons, Lawal sought seven reliefs from the court, including a declaration that the payment of N₦100 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms was illegal, arguing that the mandatory payment was not provided for in the constitution of the APC.
He further argued that, as a duly registered and financially up-to-date member of the party, he was entitled under the APC constitution to contest for and be voted for in any elective position, including the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lawsuit subsequently became a significant challenge to the party’s internal processes as the APC moved towards its 2027 presidential contest, with Lawal insisting that members should be allowed to exercise their constitutional and democratic rights within the party.
Following the institution of the suit, the Force Intelligence Department formally invited Lawal to appear before its Counter Intelligence Unit.
In a letter referenced CR:3000/TI/CIU/FID/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/100, the police said the invitation was made pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The letter, issued by the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Force Intelligence Department and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olajide Agboola on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the department, stated that Lawal’s name had featured prominently in an ongoing investigation.
“The Counter Intelligence Unit of this Department is investigating a case wherein your name featured prominently, thus precipitating the need to seek clarifications from you,” the letter dated July 29, 2026, partly read.
The invitation has added a fresh dimension to the controversy surrounding Lawal’s legal challenge, coming at a time when political parties and aspirants are increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the police invitation centres officially on an investigation and a request for clarification, the development is expected to attract further political attention given Lawal’s status as an APC chieftain and his ongoing legal challenge against the party’s presidential nomination process.