*ABUJA: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, describing the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as a platform for national unity and renewal.
According to Abdullahi, Amaechi emerged as the vice-presidential candidate following extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women groups, and representatives from the six geopolitical zones.
He said Amaechi’s nomination reflected his vast experience in governance, public administration and legislative affairs, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State and later Minister of Transportation.
“The proposed partnership represents more than a political alliance; it is the coming together of two tested statesmen committed to national renewal,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC expressed confidence that the Atiku-Amaechi ticket would strengthen its national appeal and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, the announcement came on the same day a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the ADC, for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Delivering judgment in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, Justice Peter Lifu held that the affected parties failed to satisfy the electoral performance threshold required under the law and directed INEC to commence the process of deregistration.
The parties affected by the ruling are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties had failed to meet constitutional provisions relating to electoral spread and performance.
Justice Lifu dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the affected parties before ruling in favour of the plaintiff.
The judgment, if upheld, could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly amid ongoing coalition efforts and opposition realignments. The affected parties are expected to explore legal options, including appeals, against the ruling.