APC Aspirant Sues Party and INEC Over Form Denial
APC presidential aspirant and founding member Alhaji Bayero Lawal has filed a lawsuit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming the party refused to sell him the expression of interest and nomination forms needed to contest its presidential primary.
The suit, bearing case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1020/2026, names Lawal, the APC, and INEC as defendants, and challenges his alleged exclusion from the primary that resulted in President Bola Tinubu emerging as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
In May, the APC waived its screening requirement for Tinubu and declared him cleared to run in the primary, a decision made by the National Working Committee at its 188th meeting on May 6, 2026, according to National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
The party said Tinubu’s clearance followed its constitution and internal procedures.
Through his counsel, Basil Kpenkpen, Lawal approached the court on May 21, alleging that the APC blocked him from purchasing the required documents to challenge Tinubu at the primary.
He argued that the move violated democratic principles and deprived him of his rights as a registered party member.
Lawal stated in the originating summons that he was financially up to date with the party and therefore qualified to seek its presidential ticket.
He cited the APC constitution, which he said guarantees members the right to contest and be voted for in party elections, including the presidency.
The plaintiff also contested the alleged ₦100 million fee the APC demanded for the expression of interest and nomination forms.
Among the seven reliefs sought, Lawal asked the court to declare the mandatory payment illegal, noting it is not provided for in the party’s constitution.
He seeks a ruling that the APC acted unlawfully by allegedly preventing him from obtaining the forms and participating in the presidential primary.
As of the time of this report, the court had not yet fixed a date for hearing the suit.
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