₦airaland Forum

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has disclaimed an individual allegedly parading himself as the president of the association, describing his claims as illegitimate, misleading, and politically sponsored.

The group warned that the association will not allow its platform to be hijacked by what it termed “a lone ranger” pursuing personal and political interests.

The statement accused the self-styled president of being sponsored by political actors threatened by the strength of a unified NANS, and of engaging in attacks against public figures for personal gain.

Particularly, the statement criticised repeated allegations made against Mr. Seyi Tinubu, the Minister of Youth, and other prominent officials.

“His consistent attacks on individuals in government particularly Mr. Seyi Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Youth, and other respected public officials are nothing but a calculated attempt to exploit the current political landscape for personal popularity and financial reward.

“One must ask: how is it possible for someone to claim to be the NANS President and yet walk alone without any EXCOs, without any zonal, state (JCC), or institutional SUG structure supporting him?” the statement read.

NANS questioned the legitimacy of the individual’s emergence, stating that there is no record of his participation in the student electoral process.

It pointed out the absence of proof of form purchase, screening, convention attendance, or election.

The association also raised concerns over the lack of any executive council members or other organizational backing associated with the individual.

The statement also called out Sahara Reporters, accusing the media outlet of being the sole platform amplifying the controversial figure’s claims.

“Why is this issue only being amplified by Sahara Reporters, a platform that seems to have become a megaphone for just one individual?” the statement queried.

NANS further challenged members of the media and public to verify the claims by reaching out to legitimate student structures including JCC Chairmen, Zonal Coordinators, and sister organisations such as NAUS, NANCE, and NAPS.

The body maintained that none of these recognized student groups support the said individual.

NANS called on students nationwide to ignore distractions and remain committed to the organisation’s core mission of advocating for Nigerian students.

“Our voice is strong, our structure is intact, and our resolve is unshakable. We are not for sale,” the statement added.

NANS also discredited any suggestion that one Mr Abubakr is currently serving as its president.
According to the association, the only recognised and duly elected president is Comrade Olushola Oladoja.

“We want to clearly state that Mr Abubakr is in no way the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students. The legitimate and duly elected President of NANS, representing the Nigerian student populace, is Comrade Olushola Oladoja,” it added.

The student body expressed disappointment over what it described as the role of certain media platforms in enabling misinformation by failing to verify the credentials of their guests.

“It is deeply concerning that media platforms we consider reputable would grant their platform to individuals peddling falsehoods and seeking to tarnish the image of a formidable organisation like NANS,” the statement said.

Highlighting its commitment to due process, NANS stressed that leadership within the association is determined through a constitutionally guided, transparent convention process, with proper screening and security involvement.

“Aspiring leaders undergo a thorough process that includes obtaining forms, comprehensive screening, and other crucial steps well in advance of our conventions.

The suggestion that financial resources can bypass our established protocols and constitutional requirements is not only false but also deeply insulting,”

Reaffirming its independence, the association reiterated that it is not an arm of any political party, government, or politician.

“NANS is never an arm of any political party, government or politician. This is reflected in the various positions we have taken over unfavourable policies that affect the interests of our members — Nigerian students — irrespective of whose ox is gored,” the statement read.

NANS further warned against the misuse of its name for political manipulation, emphasising: “Let it be unequivocally stated that NANS will not tolerate anyone, under whatever guise, using the name of the association as a tool of blackmail or political manipulation.”

The statement concluded by urging media platforms to be more responsible in verifying claims and restated the association’s commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Nigerian students.

“We remain focused on our core mandate and will not be distracted by such antics,” NANS said.

PressMyButton:
Atiku, Ameachi, Elrufai, biko stop hiding behind a man your children's agemate. An unknown man you're sponsoring as NAN President. Stop hiding behind him, come out and face Tinubu, man to man. Since Tinubu came back and collected some opposition Governors, this coalition of failures have been having sleepless nights. Tinubu na your mate?.

See their faces on the banner.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria

BrickDevo:
Nigeria is a crazy country, someone that was kidnapped and beaten is who you said was sponsored by political actos. so his was beaten and injured by his sponsor.......tufiakwa. what a weak attempt to control the damage done by his confession of who attacked him.

Dopeboy8701:
So d guy na scam and everybody don chop already. Chai naija my country

Particularly, the statement criticised repeated allegations made against Mr. Seyi Tinubu, the Minister of Youth, and other prominent officials.

Agbegbaorogboye:
It means Seyi Tinubu and the minister

suolboy:
It means the minister of youth is also involved aside Seyi Tinubu. You see the statement read THE minister of youth.

aspabay:
Keypoints

Here are the main points from the article showing that the self-acclaimed student president is an impostor:

1. **Official Disavowal by NANS**: The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has formally disclaimed the individual claiming to be its president, labeling him as illegitimate, misleading, and politically sponsored.

2. **Lack of Electoral Participation**: NANS stated that the individual has no record of participating in the student electoral process — no form purchase, screening, convention attendance, or election.

3. **No Organizational Support**: The alleged impostor has no support from any NANS structures — no executive council, zonal coordinators, state-level (JCC), or institutional student union governments (SUGs).

4. **Political Sponsorship Alleged**: The person is accused of being sponsored by political actors seeking to divide the student body and using NANS as a tool for personal and political gain.

5. **Unsubstantiated Attacks**: The self-styled president has been criticized for consistently attacking public officials, notably Mr. Seyi Tinubu and others, allegedly for self-promotion and financial benefit.

6. **Media Bias Allegation**: NANS accused Sahara Reporters of being the only media outlet amplifying the impostor’s claims, suggesting a lack of credibility and media responsibility.

7. **Call for Public Verification**: The public and media were urged to verify legitimate leadership through recognized student structures and organizations (e.g., NAUS, NANCE, NAPS).

8. **Clear Endorsement of Legitimate President**: NANS reaffirmed that *Comrade Olushola Oladoja* is the only duly elected and recognized president, not Mr. Abubakr.

9. **Reaffirmation of Independence**: NANS reiterated its political neutrality and rejection of being used as a tool for blackmail or manipulation.

10. **Condemnation of Media Misinformation**: The association criticized certain media platforms for promoting falsehoods without verifying claims, warning them to act more responsibly.