Confusion In NANS As Two Student Leaders Claim National Presidency
A leadership crisis has hit the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following the emergence of two individuals laying claim to the position of National President.
The controversy escalated after Arise News recently recognised one Atiku Abubakar Isah as the NANS National President, a development that has been strongly rejected by the leadership of NANS Southwest Zone (Zone D).
In a statement on Sunday and made available to OSUN DEFENDER, the Coordinator of NANS Southwest, Comrade Owolewa Taiwo Sunday, alongside the Secretary, Comrade Oluwole Olutunde Aboke, expressed deep disappointment over what they described as a misleading recognition of a factional leader.
According to the student body, the only duly elected and recognised National President of NANS remains Comrade Olushola Oladoja, who was elected during the last National Convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The election, the group emphasised, was conducted with the participation of Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents from higher institutions across the country.
“It is disheartening that Arise News would lend credibility to a faction seeking to disrupt the peace and unity of our esteemed organisation,” the statement read.
In light of this, NANS Southwest has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Arise News to; “Remove the video featuring Atiku Abubakar Isah from all its platforms, tender a public apology to Nigerian students for causing confusion and supporting an individual fraudulently claiming to be the NANS President.”
The student leaders warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time frame would compel Nigerian students to take decisive action, including organising a protest aimed at shutting down Arise News’ operations in the Southwest region, particularly at its office located at 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos.
NANS Southwest further urged Nigerian students to remain united in the face of what they termed a deliberate attempt to undermine the association’s leadership.
“We trust that Arise News will act responsibly and uphold the integrity of Nigerian students by addressing this matter promptly,” the statement concluded.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
