Court Ends Amaechi’s Suit Against Atiku Over ADC Presidential Ticket

(Rotimi Amaechi And Atiku Abubakar. Photo by Daily Post)

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday struck out a pre-election dispute suit filed by former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, against ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Amaechi had filed the suit challenging Abubakar’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the suit after the former governor’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, moved a motion seeking its withdrawal, informing the court that an application for discontinuance had already been filed following a settlement between the parties.

After listening to counsel, the judge granted the application and struck out the case.

Amaechi, who also served as a former Minister of Transport, had in the suit sought an order setting aside the presidential primary election of May 25 that produced Abubakar as the ADC’s candidate.

Arguing that the exercise was conducted in breach of the Electoral Act 2026, the ADC’s Constitution, and the party’s guidelines for conducting primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He had also sought an order restraining Abubakar from parading himself as the party’s presidential candidate, on the grounds that he, Amaechi, had won the May 25 poll, alongside an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising Abubakar as the ADC’s candidate.

He further sought an order compelling the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in line with extant electoral laws and party guidelines within 14 days of judgment.

In the originating summons, Amaechi named Abubakar, the ADC and INEC as defendants.

In an affidavit deposed to personally, he stated that he was a duly registered member of the ADC in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and a registered voter eligible to vote and be voted for.

He described himself as a graduate of English Language from the University of Port Harcourt and a legal practitioner, adding that he had purchased and been issued the party’s presidential nomination form, was screened alongside other aspirants, and was duly cleared to contest.

He said he participated fully in the primary election and had appointed agents and coordinators to represent his interests at the national, state and ward levels across the country.