Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday struck out a pre-election dispute suit filed by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi challenging the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general elections. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the suit after Amaechi's counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that an application for the discontinuance of the case had been filed following the resolution of differences between the parties.
Amaechi, also a former Minister of Transportation, had approached the court seeking to nullify the ADC presidential primary election held on May 25, 2026, which produced Abubakar as the party's flagbearer. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1215/2026, the former governor argued that the primary was conducted in breach of Sections 77(5) and 77(6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the ADC's Constitution and the party's guidelines for primary elections. He listed Abubakar, the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants.
The former minister had sought several reliefs from the court, including an order setting aside the primary election and restraining Abubakar from parading himself as the ADC presidential candidate. Amaechi also prayed the court to stop INEC from recognising Abubakar as the party's candidate and to compel the ADC to conduct a fresh presidential primary within 14 days in compliance with the Electoral Act and the party's constitution. In an affidavit deposed to by Amaechi himself, the former governor stated that he was a registered member of the ADC in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and had duly purchased the party's nomination form, participated in the screening process, and contested the primary. He challenged the results announced by the party on May 27, which declared Atiku winner with 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi polled 504,177 votes and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes.
However, following the resolution of the dispute, Okutepa moved a motion for withdrawal, urging the court to strike out the case. After listening to the counsel, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and struck out the suit.
The striking out of the suit clears the legal hurdle over the ADC presidential ticket, allowing the party's candidates to proceed with preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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