The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over alleged interference by former presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore. The student body accused both politicians of backing factional interests within NANS to destabilize its leadership and influence its direction ahead of future elections.
In a statement released on Saturday, NANS National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, named Atiku and Sowore as key figures supporting efforts to divide the student movement. He warned that their actions pose a serious threat to the independence and unity of Nigerian students.
At the heart of the controversy is Atiku Abubakar Isah, a cousin of the former Vice President. NANS alleged that Isah has received significant financial and political support to create a parallel leadership structure within the organization. According to Adeyemi, this move aims to position NANS as a political tool in the run-up to future elections.
“We are aware of recent secret meetings between Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his cousin, Atiku Abubakar Isah,” Adeyemi said. “Their mission is clear, to infiltrate and destabilize NANS through internal division. This action directly undermines our autonomy and the democratic will of Nigerian students.”
Adeyemi accused Isah of playing an active role in fueling crisis within the association. He described Isah’s actions as a deliberate effort to weaken the group’s leadership and align it with partisan interests.
NANS also raised concerns about Omoyele Sowore and his associates. The group claimed that while Sowore’s tactics differ from Atiku’s, the end goal remains the same, political control of the student movement.
“These figures are pushing a divisive agenda,” the statement read. “They want to hijack our platform for political gamesmanship. We are not aligned with any political party or movement, and we refuse to be used.”
The association vowed to resist all forms of external influence. It said Nigerian students would not remain silent while political actors attempt to compromise the integrity of their leadership.
As part of its warning, NANS threatened to stage protests across Nigerian universities if the interference continues. The association also stated its readiness to declare Atiku Abubakar persona non grata on all campuses nationwide should the alleged actions persist.
“We are united and firm in our resolve to defend the voice of Nigerian students,” Adeyemi declared. “Any attempt to disrupt our leadership will meet strong resistance.”
He urged the public, the media, and security agencies to closely monitor the situation. According to him, protecting the independence of NANS is crucial to ensuring students remain a strong, unified voice in national development.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Atiku Abubakar nor Omoyele Sowore had issued a public response to the allegations.
