In a Press Briefing by Comrade Olusola Oladoja, National President of NANS, Addressing False Allegations by Atiku Isah Against NANS and Seyi Tinubu
Gentlemen of the Press,We have convened this briefing to address the malicious and baseless allegations propagated by Atiku Isah, who falsely claims to be the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
His actions are part of an orchestrated campaign to sow discord within NANS and tarnish the reputation of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This plot, driven by ulterior political motives, is backed by certain opposition figures whose identities are well-known and will be exposed in due course. Atiku Isah’s accusations are not only unfounded but also a desperate attempt to undermine the unity of Nigerian students and the credibility of the current administration.
For clarity, NANS is united under a legitimate leadership. On February 26, 2022, at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, Nigerian students conducted a transparent, free, and fair election, duly electing Comrade Olusola Oladoja as the National President, alongside a complete executive council.
Atiku Isah, in contrast, operates alone, with no elected executive council to support his self-proclaimed presidency. His claim to leadership is illegitimate, and we challenge him to seek redress in a court of law if he disputes the outcome of our democratic process.
The records of our election and inauguration are publicly available and verifiable.Atiku Isah’s allegations against Seyi Tinubu, accusing him of orchestrating harassment or assault, are entirely fabricated. These claims lack any verifiable details—no date, location, or credible witnesses have been provided. Intelligence and photographic evidence in our possession confirm that Atiku Isah is closely associated with senior opposition figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties.
These individuals are bent on discrediting the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration through smear campaigns. We categorically state that Seyi Tinubu has never met Atiku Isah, and the accusations are a politically motivated attempt to malign his character.Seyi Tinubu is a private citizen with a well-documented history of peaceful and constructive engagement with Nigerian youths. The notion that he would engage in or order any form of harassment is absurd and contradicts his established character.
NANS, under my leadership, stands firmly in support of President Bola Ahmed administration’s commitment to youth and student welfare, not in partisan politics. We are students, not politicians, and our focus remains on advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian students.We call on the public, the media, and relevant authorities to disregard Atiku Isah’s baseless claims and hold him accountable for spreading falsehoods. His actions threaten the unity of NANS and the trust Nigerian students have in their leadership.
We urge security agencies to investigate the sources of his funding and the political actors behind this smear campaign. NANS will not be deterred by such distractions and will continue to partner with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to advance the cause of education and youth development in Nigeria.
In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to a united NANS and our unwavering support for an administration that prioritizes students and youths. Atiku Isah’s lies will not stand, and we trust that truth and justice will prevail. Thank you for your attention, and we are open to questions.
*Comrade Olusola Oladoja**National President, NANS*
