Amaechi withdraws suit against Atiku over ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket as the Federal High Court strikes out the pre-election dispute
The Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17, 2026, struck out a pre-election suit filed by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
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Amaechi withdrew the suit after his lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the parties had reached an understanding and that an application for discontinuance had already been filed.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, after hearing submissions from counsel, granted the request and ordered that the matter be struck out.
Amaechi had filed the case challenging the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate following the party’s primary election held on May 25, 2026.
In the suit, the former governor and former Minister of Transportation argued that the primary election was conducted in violation of provisions of the Electoral Act, the ADC constitution and the party’s guidelines for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.
Amaechi withdraws suit against Atiku after seeking an order to nullify the primary election that produced Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
He had also asked the court to prevent Atiku from presenting himself as the ADC presidential candidate and to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising him as the party’s flag bearer.
The former governor further requested an order directing the ADC to conduct a fresh presidential primary election within 14 days, arguing that the process should comply with electoral laws and the party’s internal regulations.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1215/2026, listed Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress and INEC as defendants.
In the affidavit supporting the case, Amaechi stated that he was a registered ADC member from Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and had participated in the party’s presidential primary process.
He said he obtained the nomination form, underwent screening, was cleared as an aspirant and took part in the primary election while appointing agents to monitor proceedings across different levels.
The withdrawal of the case brings an end to the legal challenge over the ADC presidential primary, allowing Atiku Abubakar’s nomination to remain unaffected by the suit.
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The development comes as political parties continue preparations for the 2027 general election, with internal contests and legal disputes shaping the early stages of candidate selection.
