The National Association of Nigerian Students and the National Association of Polytechnic Students have cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against what they called coordinated political interference in student leadership.
The Olushola Oladoja-led NANS, in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, accused Atiku and popular activist, Omoyele Sowore, of sponsoring factionalism within the student body.
“It has come to our attention that certain elements, acting under the influence and sponsorship of former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Mr Omoyele Sowore, are actively involved in sowing seeds of discord within NANS,” the statement stated.
The student bodies vowed to mobilise nationwide protests if such meddling continues.
The threat follows the emergence of a factional NANS President, Atiku Isah, and his subsequent allegation of assault and abduction against President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi.
Isah alleged that Seyi offered him N100m to promote the President, an offer he said he declined.
NANS, however, accused Isah of receiving funds to destabilise the association and falsely claim its presidency.
“We are aware of recent clandestine meetings between Atiku and his cousin, Isah, aimed at infiltrating and destabilising the student movement.”
“Let it be known that NANS is not and will never be an appendage of any political party or personality,” the statement read.
NANS asked Atiku to “call his associates to order or risk being declared persona non grata across Nigerian campuses.”
Similarly, NAPS President, Eshiofune Paul-Oghayan, in a statement in Kaduna on Friday, described Isah’s claims as “fabricated and politically mischievous.”
He described Seyi as “a strategic bridge between Nigerian youths and the state,” and not a political manipulator as alleged.
“Seyi Tinubu has not interfered in student leadership nor directed anyone to act on his behalf. This coordinated attempt to malign his character is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to stand,” Paul-Oghayan said.
In a separate development, the South-East Youth Stakeholders Council has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Isah to publicly apologise for what they called “persistent blackmail and misinformation” against Seyi.
The council, in a statement signed by its chairman, Eric Uwakwe, criticised Isah’s claim to the NANS presidency and accused him of running a propaganda campaign to derail Seyi Tinubu’s alleged 2027 Lagos State governorship ambition.
“This dance of shame by Atiku Isah and his politically displaced coalition must end,” Uwakwe said, pledging full support for Tinubu and threatening to “match words with action” if the ultimatum was ignored.
The group further vowed to purchase Seyi Tinubu’s nomination form should he decide to run for governor in 2027.
Punch Online
