A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, challenging the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
The case was withdrawn by Amaechi after both parties reportedly resolved their differences outside the courtroom.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the matter on Friday after Amaechi’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that an application seeking the discontinuance of the suit had already been filed.
According to the senior lawyer, the dispute that led to the legal action had been settled, making it unnecessary for the court to continue hearing the matter. He subsequently asked the court to strike out the case.
After considering the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and ordered that the suit be struck out.
Amaechi had approached the court to challenge the outcome of the ADC presidential primary election held on May 25, which produced Atiku as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
In the suit, the former minister argued that the primary election was conducted in violation of provisions of the Electoral Act, the ADC constitution and the party’s guidelines governing the conduct of primary elections.
He sought several reliefs from the court, including an order nullifying the primary election and preventing Atiku from presenting himself as the ADC presidential candidate.
Amaechi also asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Atiku as the party’s candidate for the 2027 poll.
The former governor further requested an order compelling the ADC to organise a fresh presidential primary election in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1215/2026, listed Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants.
In an affidavit filed in support of the action, Amaechi stated that he is a registered member of the ADC in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He maintained that he was duly qualified to contest the party’s presidential primary after purchasing the nomination form, undergoing screening and receiving clearance from the party.
Amaechi also told the court that he participated in the primary election and deployed agents and coordinators across the country to monitor the process on his behalf.
With the withdrawal of the suit, the legal challenge against Atiku’s nomination has come to an end, clearing a major hurdle in the ADC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.
Recall, Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Amaechi had initially challenged the outcome of the ADC presidential primary, insisting that the process failed to comply with the party’s rules and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
However, Friday’s withdrawal signals a resolution of the disagreement and effectively closes the chapter on the legal battle.
