Nigerian Police Invite APC Presidential Aspirant Lawal Over Suit Challenging His Exclusion From Primary

The Nigeria Police Force has invited a presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bayero Lawal, for questioning over a suit he instituted against the ruling party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging his exclusion from the party’s presidential primary.

Lawal, a founding member of the APC, is expected to appear before the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the police following an invitation issued by the Counter Intelligence Unit of the department.

Although the police said in the invitation letter that Lawal was being summoned in connection with an ongoing investigation in which his name allegedly featured prominently.

The invitation was linked to his legal action against the APC over the party’s refusal to allow him to obtain expression of interest and nomination forms to contest its presidential primary.

Lawal had in May approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging what he described as the party’s denial of his right to participate in the presidential contest against incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

The suit also joined the APC Presidential Screening Committee and INEC as defendants.

The development followed the APC’s decision to waive the screening requirement for Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primary.

The party had declared Tinubu duly cleared in line with its constitution and internal procedures.

According to the APC spokesman, Felix Morka, the decision was taken by the party’s 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, filed an originating summons before the Federal High Court, challenging the party’s decision and his alleged exclusion from the process.

In the suit, Lawal argued that the APC denied him access to both the expression of interest and nomination forms required to contest the presidential primary against Tinubu.

He contended that the party’s action was inconsistent with democratic principles and his rights as a registered member of the party.

Among the seven reliefs sought by the plaintiff was a declaration that the mandatory payment of N100 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms was illegal because, according to him, such payment was not provided for in the APC constitution.

Lawal further maintained that the APC constitution guarantees him, as a fully registered and financially up-to-date member of the party, the right to contest and be voted for in any elective position, including the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The legal challenge has now been followed by the police invitation, with the FID saying it requires Lawal to provide clarification concerning an investigation in which he allegedly featured prominently.

In a letter dated July 29, 2026, with reference number CR:3000/TI/CIU/FID/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/100, the Counter Intelligence Unit of the FID invited Lawal for questioning.

The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olajide Agboola on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FID, said the invitation was pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“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 29th July, 2026 partly read.

The police did not disclose the specific allegation being investigated or explain in the letter how Lawal’s suit against the APC and INEC relates to the investigation.

However, sources familiar with the development alleged that the politician was invited after his court action against the APC was viewed as capable of “embarrassing” the ruling party.

Lawal’s suit had sought to compel the party to recognise his right to participate in the presidential nomination process and challenged the circumstances surrounding the decision to clear Tinubu without subjecting him to the same screening process expected of other aspirants.

The invitation has therefore raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the police investigation, particularly because it comes after Lawal instituted legal proceedings against the ruling party and the electoral commission.

The development also places renewed attention on the internal processes of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly the question of whether members of the ruling party can freely challenge decisions concerning the presidential nomination process through the courts.

For now, the police invitation does not establish that Lawal committed an offence, while the exact nature of the investigation and the clarification being sought from him remain undisclosed.