The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, on Wednesday, denied a meeting between it and the son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi, in the NAN leadership transition process.
The association described the claims as baseless, lacking evidence, and a deliberate attempt to create discord, malign personalities, and undermine its credibility.
In a statement issued by the President of the NANS Senate, Akinteye Babatunde, the student association reaffirmed its autonomy and adherence to democratic principles, emphasising that its leadership transition process is guided by transparency, equity, and accountability.
Babatunde said, “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students categorically repudiates the spurious and unsubstantiated claims made by Comrade Jubril Batuta regarding an alleged clandestine meeting convened by Mr. Seyi Tinubu to manipulate the forthcoming NANS leadership transition.
“These allegations, bereft of empirical evidence, are a deliberate attempt to sow discord, malign personalities, and undermine the credibility of our esteemed association.
“As a robust, autonomous, and democratic student body, NANS operates on the pillars of transparency, equity, and accountability. The NANS Constitution unequivocally provides a framework for the conduct of elections, which is dutifully implemented by the Independent NANS Convention Planning Committee.
“The INANS-CPC is an independent body charged with upholding the sanctity of the electoral process, ensuring that only qualified and eligible candidates participate. It is inconceivable for any external entity, no matter how influential, to subvert this process or impose candidates on the association.”
Babatunde also condemned claims of ethnic favouritism and “Yorubanisation” of the leadership process, describing such insinuations as divisive and contrary to the ideals of unity and inclusiveness that NANS represents.
“It is a gross disservice to the millions of Nigerian students we represent to peddle such inflammatory rhetoric, especially when mechanisms exist within the association to address grievances and verify claims,” he said.
The statement urged all aspirants and stakeholders to focus on articulating their manifestos and engaging with students, senators, and stakeholders, rather than indulging in unfounded propaganda.
“The NANS Constitution clearly enshrines the principles of geopolitical zoning, fairness, and meritocracy. Any aspirant found to be ineligible or in contravention of the rules will be duly disqualified by the INANS-CPC, which remains resolute in its mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections,” Babatunde added.
He reiterated that the autonomy of NANS is non-negotiable and that no individual or group, regardless of their stature or affiliation, can override the collective will of Nigerian students.
“To this end, we urge Comrade Batuta and other aspirants to refrain from propagating unverified claims that can jeopardize the cohesion and integrity of our association,” he said.(Punch)
