The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have issued a warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over what they describe as politically motivated interference in student affairs.
In a statement released by NANS, led by Olushola Oladoja, and signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, the student body accused Atiku and activist Omoyele Sowore of supporting division within the association. According to the statement, “certain elements, under the influence and sponsorship of Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Omoyele Sowore, are deliberately trying to destabilize NANS through internal factionalism.”
The groups threatened to launch nationwide protests should the alleged interference persist.
This warning comes in the wake of the emergence of a rival NANS faction led by Atiku Isah, who recently accused President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, of assault, abduction, and offering a bribe of N100 million to promote the President—a claim he said he rejected.
However, NANS has dismissed Isah’s claims, accusing him of accepting funds to cause disunity and falsely claim the NANS presidency. “We are aware of secret meetings between Atiku and his cousin, Isah, aimed at disrupting the student movement,” the statement alleged. NANS emphasized its political independence, warning Atiku to “rein in his associates or risk being declared persona non grata on campuses nationwide.”
Supporting this stance, NAPS President Eshiofune Paul-Oghayan, in a separate statement issued in Kaduna, condemned Isah’s allegations as “baseless and politically motivated.” He praised Seyi Tinubu as “a strategic bridge between Nigerian youths and the government,” stating that he had never interfered in student leadership matters.
Meanwhile, the South-East Youth Stakeholders Council has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Atiku Isah, demanding a public apology for what it termed a smear campaign against Seyi Tinubu. In a statement signed by its chairman, Eric Uwakwe, the council dismissed Isah’s claim to the NANS presidency and accused him of trying to undermine Seyi Tinubu’s rumored 2027 Lagos State governorship ambition.
“This act of political blackmail by Atiku Isah and his allies must stop,” Uwakwe said. He pledged full support for Seyi Tinubu and warned of further action if the apology was not issued. The group also vowed to purchase Seyi Tinubu’s nomination form should he choose to contest in 2027.
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