Division In NANS Over Call To Sack Power Minister, Adelabu

There seems to be a division in the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over calls to sack Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

Osun Defender recalls that a faction in NANS led by factional NANS Senate President, Senator Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has called for the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.

The factional NANS also threatened to hold a nationwide protest if both officials were not sacked.

In a letter by Senator Afeez and the heads of its 5 regions, it was expressed with concern that both Kyari and Adelabu’s leadership roles have played a part in the mismanagement and mishandling of crucial energy resources. This situation has been observed to have exacerbated the nation’s current state of turmoil, as noted by many Nigerians.

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“To amplify our message and ensure widespread participation, we have strategically organized the protest to take place across various zones of the country. Each zone will host its demonstration at designated locations to maximize visibility and impact.

“Zone A: Abuja Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. Zone C: Airport Road in Abuja. Zone D along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Zone F along Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge and ⁠Zone E along the Wuntin Dada- Bauchi-Jos Road.”

“We firmly believe that the removal of Mele Kyari and Honourable Adelabu is essential to address the root causes of the fuel scarcity and electricity crisis.

“We demand accountability, transparency, and decisive action from the government to alleviate the plight of the Nigerian students.”

Meanwhile, the NANS Senate President, Sen. Ekundina Segun Elvis, disagreed with the factional NANS Senate president over his reaction for the call to sack the Minister of Power.

Elvis described calls to sack Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu as mere blackmail and propaganda to tarnish his image.

He said the purported call to remove Adelabu was to discredit the Minister, who is working assiduously on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sanitise the power sector more efficient and guarantee regular electricity supply.

Elvis, however, called for arrest of Afeez, whom he described as an impostor.

He said the calls for removal of Adelabu and Mele Kyari at misguided when both are consistently providing solutions and keeping Nigerians updated about their vision for sustainable growth in both sectors critical to the development of the country.

According to him, “The press release in question targets two crucial aspects of our nation’s development: the hike in petrol price and electricity instability.

“It is interesting to note that the attack is directed solely at the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) regarding the petrol price hike, while the Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, who oversees both oil and gas, is conspicuously ignored.

“This biased approach clearly suggests a hidden agenda and raises questions about the true motives behind this press release.

“Turning to the issue of electricity, it is disheartening to see the Honorable Minister of Power being attacked unjustly. Chief Bayo Adelabu has taken the time to address the nation on multiple occasions, explaining in great detail the complexities surrounding the instability of electricity in our country.

“He has outlined the steps being taken to resolve these issues, including the stages of implementation, debt repayment, and addressing the existing gaps.

“His explanations have been comprehensive, offering hope that the electricity situation will improve in due course.
“It is evident that this press release is sponsored by the opposition and individuals seeking to tarnish the image of Chief Bayo Adelabu. The history of the self-acclaimed NANS leader, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, known for attacking personalities for financial gains, raises serious concerns about the credibility and authenticity of this press release.

“A typical example was his self demeaning and blackmail press he released to attack the DG of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). It is clear that the intention here is not to address the issues at hand but to damage the reputation of the Honorable Minister and his contributions to the development of our nation and the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“We issue a stern warning to the writer of this attacking press release and their co-sponsors. While the self-acclaimed NANS leader’s studentship is subject to investigation, we call upon the public to stand against misinformation and propaganda. We urge the security agencies to be vigilant and prevent any illegal gatherings disguised as protests, as they are undoubtedly sponsored by the opposition to disrupt the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“We firmly believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR will succeed in his endeavors, and no amount of propaganda will derail the progress we are making as a nation.

“This press release is nothing more than a funded propaganda campaign aimed at defaming Chief Bayo Adelabu, the Honorable Minister of Power. We have exposed the hidden motives and called for action against those responsible for disseminating such misleading information.

“We remain committed to ensuring the truth prevails and that the Nigerian people are not swayed by baseless attacks.”