The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday struck out a suit filed by former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi challenging the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for 2027.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the case after Amaechi’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, informed the court that both parties had settled and filed for discontinuance.
“An application for the discontinuance of the case has already been filed after the parties settled their differences,” Okutepa said.
The judge granted the application.
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—What the suit was about—
Amaechi had asked the court to nullify the ADC presidential primary held on May 25, alleging it breached the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its guidelines.
He sought to stop Atiku from parading himself as ADC’s candidate and to bar INEC from recognising him.
Amaechi claimed he was the rightful winner of the primary and asked the court to order a fresh one.
He alleged:
1. No membership register used: The party did not use its register as required by law.
2. Unsigned result sheet: The result sheet published after the election had no names or signatures of election committee members.
3. Party admission: He said the party informed him no register was used.
—Why it was withdrawn—
The suit was withdrawn weeks after Atiku named Amaechi, who finished second in the primary, as his running mate for 2027.
Announcing the choice in June, ADC national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said:
“It followed extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders, and representatives of all geopolitical zones.”
