A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the pre-election 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 (ADC).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the case on Friday after Amaechi’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the parties had resolved their differences and sought permission to withdraw the suit.
Okutepa told the court that an application to discontinue the case had already been filed, urging the judge to strike it out.
After listening to the submission, Justice Abdulmalik granted the application and struck out the suit.
Amaechi had approached the court to challenge the outcome of the ADC presidential primary held on May 25, which produced Atiku as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
In the suit, the former Minister of Transportation argued that the primary election was conducted in violation of Sections 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the ADC Constitution, 2026, and the party’s guidelines for the conduct of its primary elections.
He asked the court to nullify the primary election and prevent Atiku from parading himself as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Amaechi also sought an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
In addition, he asked the court to direct the ADC to conduct a fresh presidential primary within 14 days in line with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its electoral guidelines.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1215/2026, listed Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Amaechi stated that he is a registered member of the ADC in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and a registered voter qualified to contest elections.
He said he purchased the party’s presidential nomination form, successfully passed the screening process and was cleared to participate in the primary election.
Amaechi further stated that he contested the primary and appointed agents and coordinators across the country to monitor the exercise on his behalf.
However, with the withdrawal of the suit and the court’s decision to strike it out, the legal challenge against Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate has effectively come to an end.
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