Court Strikes Out Amaechi’s Suit Against Atiku’s ADC Candidacy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi challenging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the case on Friday after Amaechi formally withdrew the lawsuit through his legal team.

The move follows Atiku’s decision to name Amaechi—who finished as the runner-up in the party’s presidential primary in May, as his official vice-presidential running mate.

Amaechi’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court on Friday that an application for the discontinuance of the case had been filed after both political heavyweights successfully resolved their differences out of court.

In the original suit, Amaechi had asked the court to nullify the May 25 primary election that produced Abubakar as the flagbearer. The lawsuit, which named Abubakar, the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants, alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026, the ADC constitution, and the party’s internal guidelines.

In his supporting affidavit, Amaechi established his standing as a cleared presidential aspirant and a registered member of the ADC in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The legal challenge had originally sparked weeks of internal friction within the ADC after Amaechi initially rejected the primary results, citing widespread irregularities. With the lawsuit now officially withdrawn, a major hurdle has been cleared for the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as the party intensifies its preparations for the 2027 general election.