SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned that the recent Federal High Court judgment invalidating the party’s leadership structure and presidential nomination process could trigger serious political unrest if not handled with caution.
Speaking during an interview on Mainland 98.3 FM, Amaechi expressed concern that the ruling, which affects the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark and the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate, could escalate beyond an internal political dispute.
He cautioned that the situation must be managed carefully, warning that failure to do so could threaten national stability.
According to Amaechi, he immediately met with Atiku and the party chairman after news of the judgment broke. The meeting, he said, ended with a collective decision to appeal for calm and discourage supporters from taking actions that could worsen tensions.
The controversy follows a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the Mark-led National Working Committee invalid. The court also nullified the emergence of Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize decisions arising from the party’s July 27, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting.
The case was instituted by Nafiu Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman, who challenged the circumstances surrounding Mark’s emergence and the transfer of party leadership.
However, Amaechi questioned the credibility of Gombe’s challenge, claiming that he had previously signed a resignation document alongside former chairman Ralph Nwosu. He also referenced a video allegedly showing Gombe standing behind Mark during the leadership handover.
Insisting that the ADC was not experiencing an internal crisis, Amaechi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to exploit the situation to weaken the opposition and discourage voters.
Beyond the court controversy, Amaechi offered his assessment of the political landscape ahead of 2027. He predicted a competitive Southwest, identified the South-South as a crucial battleground, and expressed confidence in Atiku’s prospects across northern Nigeria. He also predicted strong support for Peter Obi in the South-East.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential primaries, Amaechi blamed his decision to follow former President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged promise of support for his eventual defeat. He claimed Buhari advised him against campaigning, assuring him that he would be announced as the preferred candidate.
He further criticized the use of religious identity in political campaigns, accusing Tinubu’s camp of benefiting from religious appeals during the APC primaries.
Amaechi maintained that religion should never become a tool for securing political power, warning that such tactics could deepen Nigeria’s existing divisions.
His remarks highlight the growing political tension surrounding the 2027 elections, with the ADC leadership dispute emerging as an early test of opposition unity, institutional credibility, and the country’s democratic stability.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
