By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the pre-election suit filed by former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, 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 suit on Friday after Amaechi’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that both parties had resolved their differences and filed an application to discontinue the case.
Following the application, the court granted the request and formally struck out the suit.
Amaechi had asked the court to nullify the ADC presidential primary conducted on May 25, alleging that the exercise violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the party’s constitution and its guidelines for the nomination of candidates.
He also sought an order restraining Atiku from parading himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise his nomination.
In addition, the former minister urged the court to direct the ADC to conduct a fresh presidential primary in compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
Amaechi had maintained that he was a duly registered member of the ADC, participated in the presidential primary after purchasing and obtaining the party’s nomination form, and was validly screened and cleared to contest the election.
With the withdrawal and striking out of the case, Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate is no longer under legal challenge in the suit.
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