Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned that the recent court judgment nullifying the party’s leadership and presidential nomination process could trigger civil unrest if not properly managed.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had last Thursday nullified the leadership of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.
The court also invalidated the emergence of former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
The judge further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North-East, challenging the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Speaking on Mainland 98.3 FM, Amaechi said he met with Atiku and the party chairman after hearing of the ruling, adding that they agreed to appeal for calm.
“It could cause a civil war if not properly managed. When we heard the news, we quickly met, myself and the presidential candidate and the chairman of the party, and we said: ‘please, lower the tempo’,” he said.
Amaechi disputed Gombe’s challenge, claiming that he had signed a resignation document alongside former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.
He also said a video showed Gombe standing behind Mark during the leadership handover.
“There is no internal rift in our party, none,” Amaechi said.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to exploit the dispute to create divisions within the ADC and discourage voters following what he described as the party’s growing support in Sokoto
