Court Takes Fresh Action On Amaechi’s Suit Challenging Atiku’s Emergence As ADC Presidential Candidate

The Federal High Court 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, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Okutepa, informed the court that the parties had resolved their differences and requested permission to discontinue the suit.

According to Okutepa, an application seeking the withdrawal of the case had already been filed, prompting him to urge the court to strike out the matter.

After hearing the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and ordered that the suit be struck out.

Amaechi had instituted the action to challenge the outcome of the ADC presidential primary election held on May 25, 2026, in which Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

In the suit, the former Minister of Transportation asked the court to nullify the primary election, insisting that he, and not Atiku, was the rightful winner of the contest.

He also sought an order restraining Atiku from presenting himself as the ADC presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

In addition, Amaechi urged the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.

The former Rivers governor further requested an order directing the ADC to conduct a fresh presidential primary within 14 days in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and its guidelines governing the conduct of primary elections.

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.

With the withdrawal of the case and the court’s decision to strike it out, the legal challenge against Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate has come to an end, clearing the way for him to continue as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election unless any fresh legal action is initiated.