By Obah Sylva
Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has warned that the Federal High Court judgment affecting the party’s leadership and candidate nominations could trigger unrest if the dispute is not handled carefully.
Amaechi made the comments during an interview on Mainland 98.3 FM’s The Situation Room on Friday, November 6, a day after the judgment. He said party leaders had met to urge supporters to remain calm and pursue the matter through legal channels.
Key Highlights
- Amaechi says the ADC court dispute could spark unrest if not managed carefully.
- The November 5 ruling nullified the David Mark-led leadership and decisions taken under it, including Atiku Abubakar’s nomination.
- Amaechi accused the APC of seeking to weaken the opposition, but presented no evidence linking it to the case.
- The APC denied involvement and described the suit as an internal ADC matter.
- The ADC filed an appeal and sought a stay of execution; the application was pending at the time of reporting.
- Amaechi also revisited the 2022 APC presidential primary and his campaign strategy.
Amaechi urges calm after ADC judgment
“It could cause a civil war if not properly managed,” Amaechi said, describing the risk he believes the ruling poses if political actors fail to manage supporters’ reactions.
He said that after learning of the judgment, he met with the party’s presidential candidate and chairman. According to Amaechi, they urged supporters to lower tensions and allow the party to challenge the decision in court.
The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on November 5 in a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe. The ruling declared the David Mark-led caretaker leadership unlawful and invalidated actions taken under it, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential nominee.
The ADC filed an appeal on November 6 and also applied for a stay of execution. The stay application had not been determined at the time of reporting, leaving the legal effect of the judgment subject to further court proceedings.
Amaechi accuses APC; ruling party denies involvement
Amaechi alleged that the APC was concerned about the ADC’s opposition activity and encouraged the crisis to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 election. He cited what he described as a resignation document signed by Gombe and video footage of a handover to Mark.
Amaechi did not provide evidence during the interview linking the APC to the litigation. The ruling party denied involvement. APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the case arose from internal disagreements within the ADC and urged the party to resolve its dispute or pursue its appeal.
Amaechi rejected suggestions that the ADC was internally divided and said the party would continue its political activities. He also argued that support in the South-South would be important in the coming presidential contest, citing his own regional ties and the political bases of other opposition figures.
Amaechi revisits 2022 APC presidential primary
Amaechi also reflected on his defeat in the APC presidential primary held in 2022 ahead of the 2023 general election. He said he regretted following advice he attributes to then-President Muhammadu Buhari not to campaign extensively, claiming Buhari had promised to announce him as his preferred candidate.
According to Amaechi, he avoided making political deals with governors and other party figures because he believed Buhari’s assurance would be enough. He said more active campaigning might have improved his chances against Bola Tinubu, who won the primary.
He further criticised the use of religious identity in political mobilisation, alleging that religious appeals influenced support during the 2022 contest. Amaechi said he would prefer politicians to seek votes through policies and persuasion rather than religious affiliation.
The comments come as the ADC’s appeal and request for a stay proceed following the November 5 judgment. The outcome of those proceedings will determine how the ruling affects the party’s leadership and its 2027 nominations.
