A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application allowing court documents to be served on former Senate President Ahmad Lawan through substituted means in a suit challenging his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election.
Court Grants Substituted Service
Justice Salim Ibrahim approved the request following an ex parte application filed by Francis Mgboh, counsel to APC aspirant Hassan Kafayos. Mgboh informed the court that repeated attempts by the court bailiff to personally serve Lawan had failed, alleging that the senator had been avoiding service of the court processes. Justice Ibrahim subsequently fixed July 20 for hearing of the substantive suit.
The court order permits delivery of all court documents through any adult found at the office of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, a position currently held by Lawan.
Background of the Legal Challenge
Kafayos is asking the court to nullify the APC primary election conducted on May 18, which produced Lawan as the party's senatorial candidate for Yobe North. The suit names the APC, the party's National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Lawan, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
According to the application, Kafayos argued that he was unlawfully excluded from the primary despite fulfilling all requirements laid down by the party. He maintained that he purchased and submitted his Expression of Interest form, participated in the screening exercise, and was cleared by the APC screening committee before the primary.
Allegations of Irregularities
Kafayos alleged that election officials arrived at the venue in Gashua on the day of the exercise and announced that only Lawan had been cleared to contest. He claimed he was informed of his disqualification without any lawful justification. The aspirant contended that the action violated his constitutional protection against discrimination as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution governing internal democracy.
He further alleged that confusion broke out at the venue after the announcement, with supporters chanting his nickname, "Iroko," in support of his candidacy. He also claimed that police officers dispersed those gathered with tear gas before any valid primary could be conducted.
Reliefs Sought
The aspirant asked the court to restrain the APC from forwarding Lawan's name to INEC and to stop the electoral commission from accepting or publishing his nomination. He also sought an order directing the APC to conduct a fresh primary election for Yobe North or, alternatively, to recognise him as the party's validly nominated candidate.
In addition, Kafayos requested N50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages for what he described as his wrongful exclusion from the primary process. He maintained that his complaints to the party's appeal committee produced no remedy before he approached the court.
Political Context
Earlier, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan expressed strong confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure a commanding victory in Northern Nigeria during the 2027 presidential election, stating that the region is on track to deliver more than 75% of its votes to the president. The lawsuit now threatens Lawan's own bid to return to the Senate.
