NANS accuses Atiku, Sowore of plot to destabilize student leadership

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over what it describes as a coordinated attempt by powerful political actors to infiltrate and destabilize its leadership structure, accusing former presidential candidates Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore of backing efforts to sow division within the student movement.

In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday and signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, NANS alleged that the former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is using his cousin, Atiku Abubakar Isah, to engineer factionalism within the association.

NANS further claimed that Isah is “heavily funded and supported” with the objective of creating a parallel leadership and turning the student body into a political tool.

“We are aware of recent clandestine meetings between Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his cousin, Atiku Abubakar Isah, with the clear objective of infiltrating and destabilizing the student movement,” the statement read.

“This unacceptable meddling in student affairs is a direct threat to the unity and independence of NANS.”

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The association warned that these alleged moves echo previous efforts to hijack the student platform for political purposes, particularly ahead of upcoming national elections. It expressed serious concern about the implications of what it called “a divisive pattern of political interference.”

“Our major concern is the role of Atiku Abubakar Isah, who has been actively involved in stirring factional issues within our ranks. His actions, under the shadow of his cousin’s political ambition, are detrimental to the future of student representation in Nigeria,” said Adeyemi.

The statement also linked activist and African Action Congress (AAC) leader Omoyele Sowore to similar interference, alleging that Sowore and his allies, though employing different methods, are pursuing the same goal — the compromise of the student movement’s integrity for partisan advantage.

“NANS is not a tool for any political party or figure,” the group insisted. “We reject any attempt to use our platforms for political games, especially ahead of future elections.”

In what was described as a “final warning,” NANS threatened to mobilize mass protests across all tertiary institutions in the country if the alleged interference does not cease.

The association also vowed to declare Alhaji Atiku Abubakar persona non grata on university campuses nationwide should covert political actions by his affiliates continue.

“We are standing firm to protect the unity and voice of Nigerian students,” the statement concluded. “We call on the Nigerian public, the media, and relevant security agencies to pay close attention to these developments and resist every effort to weaken or hijack our collective platform.”