Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have invited the presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Bayero Lawal, for questioning over his suit against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Although the police claimed in a letter of summon that Lawal was invited for questioning based on its undisclosed investigation, it was learnt that the Gombe-born politician was summoned for allegedly “embarrassing” the party with the suit.
The presidential aspirant had in May slammed a suit against the party for allegedly denying him expression of interest and nomination forms during the recently concluded presidential primaries.
Alhaji Lawal, a founding member of the party, also joined the Presidential Screening Committee of the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the suit before a Federal High Court Abuja.
The ruling APC had in May waived the screening requirement for the President, Bola Tinubu ahead of its 2027 primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with the party’s constitution and internal procedures.
The decision, according to the spokesman of the party, Felix Morka, was taken by the National Working Committee at its 188th meeting that was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the party’s National Secretariat located in Abuja.
But on May 21, Lawal through his lawyer, Basil S. Kpenkpen, Esq, approached the Federal High Court, arguing that the party refused to allow him to obtain both the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the primaries against the incumbent president in line with the democratic tenets.
In an originating summons, obtained by our correspondent, the plaintiff sought seven reliefs, among which payment of N100m for both forms be declared illegal, arguing that such mandatory payment was not captured in the party’s constitution.
He maintained that the constitution of APC guarantees him, as a fully registered and financially up-to-date member of the 1st Defendant (party), has rights to contest for and be voted for in any elective position, including the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, following healing of the suit, the police, through a letter from Force Intelligence Department (FID) to Lawal, with reference number: CR:3000/TI/CIU/FID/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/100, explained that the invitation was made pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The letter from Counter Intelligence Unit of FID, and signed by one Olajide Agboola, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, on behalf DIG in charge of FID, noted that his Lawal’s name featured prominently in its 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 29th July, 2026 partly read. (Daily Trust)
