Evening recap: Atiku vows subsidy return, Keyamo tackles Dickson, other top stories

File: Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to restore fuel and electricity subsidies if elected president in 2027, while Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has given former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson 48 hours to clarify his party’s position on the use of Nigeria’s old national anthem.

The African Democratic Congress has also accused the Nigerian Bar Association of taking sides in the political dispute involving the opposition, following its decision to refer a lawyer to a disciplinary panel.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dismissed claims that the National Universities Commission identified 2,000 universities and about 100 fake professors, while INEC has denied reports that its chairman, Joash Amupitan, plans to resign.

Here’s your complete evening roundup:

1. Atiku promises to restore fuel, electricity subsidies

The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore petroleum and electricity subsidies if elected president in 2027. Speaking during a campaign visit to Bauchi State on Saturday, the former Vice-President also pledged to revive exploration at the Kolmani oil field and tackle insecurity, particularly in the North-East.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/2027-atiku-promises-to-restore-fuel-electricity-subsidies-if-elected/

2. Old anthem: Keyamo gives Dickson 48 hours to clarify NDC’s position

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has challenged former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson to clarify within 48 hours whether the Nigeria Democratic Congress endorses the use of the former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”. His demand followed an incident at an NDC town hall in Lagos where attendees, including the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, sang the former anthem instead of the one currently prescribed by law.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/old-national-anthem-keyamo-gives-dickson-48-hours-to-clarify-ndcs-position/

• 2027: ADC will win 13 northern states, Amaechi boasts
• 2027: Atiku promises to restore fuel, electricity subsidies if elected
• 2027: Tinubu promises to rebuild Plateau communities

3. ADC accuses NBA of siding with ruling party over Kalu’s comments

The African Democratic Congress has accused the Nigerian Bar Association of taking sides in the political dispute involving the opposition after the association referred lawyer Kalu Kalu to a disciplinary panel over his comments about a Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu. The party questioned what it described as the NBA’s selective response, pointing to a previous Court of Appeal ruling that criticised the judge’s conduct.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/adc-accuses-nba-of-siding-with-ruling-party-over-kalus-comments/

4. FG dismisses claims of 2,000 universities, 100 fake professors

The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed viral reports claiming that the National Universities Commission identified 2,000 universities and about 100 fake professors in Nigeria. The ministry said the claims were recycled misinformation, explaining that the allegation about fake professors distorted a 2019 report on an exercise to verify the directory of full professors in Nigerian universities.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/fg-dismisses-claims-of-2000-universities-100-fake-professors/

5. INEC denies Amupitan resignation rumour

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed a social media report claiming that its Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, is preparing to resign, describing it as false and fabricated. The denial comes amid scrutiny of the commission’s preliminary voters’ register and protests over alleged irregularities, including a confrontation with protesters outside Chatham House in London.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/inec-denies-amupitan-resignation-rumour/