Morning recap: Court ruling threatens Atiku’s 2027 bid, outages hit four states, FCT, other stories - Punch Newspapers

Top headlines this morning include a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress and the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for 2027. The Federal Government has acknowledged electricity disruptions in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states, attributing them to gas shortages at thermal plants. Meanwhile, Femi Fani-Kayode, Seyi Tinubu and three others received the rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria, while the Federal Government released guidelines for the N50,000 relief grant and blamed gas shortages for power outages in five states. 2027: Court ruling rattles ADC, threatens Atiku’s presidential bid The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, nullified the Mark-led National Working Committee of the ADC, the emergence of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate. The court ordered INEC not to recognise decisions from the party’s 99th NEC meeting of July 2025. Atiku vowed to appeal, while the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction hailed the judgment.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/2027-court-ruling-rattles-adc-threatens-atikus-presidential-bid/ FG blames gas shortage as power outages hit five states Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe acknowledged electricity disruptions in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states, attributing them to gas shortages at thermal plants, reduced hydropower output and maintenance issues rather than a systemic grid failure. FILE: An electricity station The government is working with relevant agencies to restore supply and has cleared 44 containers of power equipment from Apapa ports. Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/fg-blames-gas-shortage-as-power-outages-hit-five-states/ Fani-Kayode, Seyi Tinubu, three others receive senior counsel rank The Nigerian Law Society conferred the rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (Blue Silks) on High Commissioner Femi Fani-Kayode, son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu, and three others at its 2026 Annual General Conference in Abuja. Seyi Tinubu. Photo: Presidency The rank recognises distinguished non-litigation legal practice. Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/fani-kayode-seyi-tinubu-three-others-receive-senior-counsel-rank/ NJC suspends three judges, disciplines six others The National Judicial Council suspended Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir (Nasarawa State High Court), Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu (Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal) and Justice Sobere Biambo (Rivers State High Court) for one year without pay over acts including unlawful detention of litigants and abuse of judicial powers. Two of the judges were also barred from elevation for three years. The council cautioned or warned several other judicial officers. Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/njc-suspends-three-judges-disciplines-six-others/ N50,000 FG grant: How to check eligibility, claim payment The Federal Government has published detailed guidelines for beneficiaries of the N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention grant. Selected recipients (chosen from the National Social Register) receive SMS from approved providers (ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint), dial a USSD code to accept, and can withdraw via POS agents. Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/n50000-fg-grant-how-to-check-eligibility-claim-payment/ Saheed Oyelakin Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

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