‘I F£ar For My Life’: APC Presidential Aspirant Who Sued Party Over Tinubu’s 2027 Ticket Says He Is In H!ding After Police Invitation
‘I Fear For My Life’: APC Presidential Aspirant Who Sued Party Over Tinubu’s 2027 Ticket Says He Is In Hiding After Police Invitation
Lawal contacted SaharaReporters on Wednesday, expressing fears for his safety and alleging that his life may be under threat, citing political witch-hunt.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing a legal challenge ahead of the 2027 general election over allegations that it denied presidential aspirant Alhaji Bayero Lawal access to nomination forms to challenge President Bola Tinubu, while the Nigeria Police Force has summoned the politician for questioning over an undisclosed investigation.
Lawal contacted SaharaReporters on Wednesday, expressing fears for his safety and alleging that his life may be under threat, citing political witch-hunt.
The development has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the police action, particularly as it comes after Lawal approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the APC’s handling of its presidential nomination process.
Although the police cited an ongoing investigation as the reason for summoning him, sources claimed that the invitation was connected to his lawsuit against the ruling party, allegedly for embarrassing the APC by taking the matter to court.
The police have not publicly established any connection between the investigation and Lawal’s lawsuit.
Lawal, a founding member of the APC from Gombe State, filed the suit on May 21, 2026, against the party, its Presidential Screening Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He argued that the party violated his constitutional right to contest for elective office by denying him access to the expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 presidential election.
The lawsuit followed the APC’s decision to waive the screening requirement for Tinubu ahead of the party’s presidential primaries, declaring the president duly cleared in accordance with its constitution and internal procedures.
According to APC spokesman Felix Morka, the decision was taken at the party’s 188th National Working Committee meeting held on May 6, 2026, at its national secretariat in Abuja.
In his suit, Lawal sought seven reliefs, including a declaration that the mandatory ₦100 million payment for the expression of interest and nomination forms was illegal because, according to him, the requirement was not provided for in the party’s constitution.
He maintained that, as a registered APC member who had fulfilled his financial obligations, he was entitled to seek election to any political office, including the presidency.
The police invitation was conveyed in a letter dated July 29, 2026, from the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Force Intelligence Department (FID).
The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olajide Agboola on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FID, stated that Lawal’s name had featured prominently in an ongoing investigation and that his clarification was required.
“The Counter Intelligence Unit of this Department is investigating a case wherein your name featured prominently, thus precipitating the need to seek clarification from you,” it read.
police invitation
“In view of the above, you are requested to interview the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department through the undersigned at FID Complex, Area 11 Garki, Abuja on Friday, 31st July, 2026 by 1100hrs in furtherance of the investigation.
“Note that this invitation is made pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended.
“While awaiting your arrival, accept the warm assurance of the highest regard of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, please.”
Lawal told SaharaReporters that he honoured the police invitation but was kept for several hours before being released on his own recognisance at about 1am.
He said the officer first questioned him about a contract, then asked him to produce a surety.
“I honoured the police investigation. But when I appeared, it was like the officer became jittery, because he started by probing an issue that had to do with a particular contract, then later said I should get someone to bail me. I told him I didn’t know anybody. Then later at about 1am, I was told to go, and that’s it,” Lawal told SaharaReporters.
“I’m currently in hiding because I fear for my life,” he said.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Anietie Iniedu, said he was not aware of the matter.
He, however, invited Lawal to visit the Force Headquarters if he felt unsafe or believed his rights had been violated, assuring him that he would receive a fair hearing.
Iniedu said he previously served as head of the Force’s Public Complaints unit before becoming the police spokesperson, adding that his experience in the role gave him confidence in the system’s ability to deliver justice.
“Before becoming the PRO, I was the head of public complaints and I did a good job there, that’s why I can guarantee that if he comes, he will get justice,” Iniedu said.
