Kaduna, Nigeria – National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) don caution former Vice President Atiku Abubakar about wetin dem dey call coordinated political interference for student leadership.
Dis warning come after NANS, led by Olushola Oladoja, release statement wey signed by National Public Relations Officer Samson Adeyemi. Dem accuse Atiku and activist Omoyele Sowore say dem dey sponsor factionalism inside NANS. Adeyemi tok say, “E don reach our ear say certain people, wey dey act under influence and sponsorship of Atiku Abubakar and Sowore, dey try scatter NANS.”
Dem don threaten to organize nationwide protests if dis political meddling no stop soon. Dis tension come as Atiku Isah, a factional NANS President, allege say Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, don assault am and even try abduct him. Isah claim say Seyi offer am N100 million to promote the President, but say he decline the offer.
NANS counter Isah’s claim say he dey collect funds to destabilize the association and falsely claim NANS presidency. Dem talk, “We sabi about recent secret meetings wey Atiku and his cousin, Isah, dey hold to infiltrate and scatter the student movement. NANS no be appendage of any political party.”
NANS don demand say make Atiku call him people to order or else dem go declare am persona non grata for Nigerian campuses. Eshiofune Paul-Oghayan, NAPS President, also release statement for Kaduna on Friday, bin describey Isah’s claims as “fabricated and politically mischievous.”
Paul-Oghayan don praise Seyi Tinubu as “strategic bridge between Nigerian youths and the state,” no be political manipulator as Isah claim. “Seyi Tinubu no interfere for student leadership nor direct anybody to act for him. Dis attempt to tarnish him character no dey acceptable,” Paul-Oghayan add.
Separately, South-East Youth Stakeholders Council don issue 48-hour ultimatum to Isah to publicly apologize for wetin dem call “persistent blackmail and misinformation” against Seyi. Eric Uwakwe, chairman of the council, criticizes Isah’s claim to the NANS presidency and accuse am of running propaganda to derail Seyi Tinubu’s alleged governorship ambition for 2027.
“Dis disgraceful act from Atiku Isah and him politically displaced coalition must end,” Uwakwe say, as he pledge full support for Tinubu and threaten to “match words with action” if Isah no comply with the ultimatum. Di group promise to buy Seyi Tinubu’s nomination form if he decide to run for governor in 2027.
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