Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has withdrawn his legal challenge against the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing an end to one of the party's most prominent internal disputes as it prepares for the 2027 general election.
The Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the case on Friday after Amaechi's counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jibrin Okutepa, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that both sides had resolved their differences and filed an application to discontinue the suit. The judge subsequently struck out the matter.
Amaechi had asked the court to invalidate the ADC presidential primary conducted on May 25, arguing that the exercise violated provisions of the Electoral Act, the party's constitution and its guidelines for conducting primary elections. He also sought an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Atiku as the party's presidential candidate and requested that the court direct the ADC to conduct a fresh primary.
The decision to withdraw the suit removes one of several legal hurdles that have confronted the ADC since it emerged as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. In recent months, the party has had to contend with disputes over its leadership, nomination process and internal structure as it works to unite prominent political figures under one banner.
Although the settlement spares the party from a lengthy court battle, analysts say it does not entirely put to rest concerns about unity within the opposition coalition. A series of internal disagreements over leadership and candidate selection has repeatedly overshadowed the ADC's efforts to position itself as a formidable challenger in the next presidential election.
The latest development is also likely to reinforce the ruling All Progressives Congress' argument that the opposition remains focused on resolving internal disputes while the governing party projects itself as more organised ahead of the polls. APC leaders have consistently maintained that their priority remains governance, economic reforms and implementing policies aimed at strengthening the country's economy before campaigning fully begins.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1215/2026, listed Atiku Abubakar, the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants. In court filings, Amaechi maintained that he was a validly nominated aspirant who purchased the party's nomination form, successfully passed screening and participated in the nationwide primary election.
With Friday's ruling, that chapter of the dispute has now ended. Even so, the ADC is expected to continue navigating political and organisational challenges as Nigeria's political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.
