Newly Elected NANS President Vows to Champion Students' Rights, Alleges Seyi Tinubu's Interference"'

Pedro Chibuzo Obi, the recently elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), declared the emergence of the new student leadership as a beacon of hope for Nigerian tertiary education. Emphasizing his campaign's focus on 3Cs – Capacity, Content, and Competence – Obi pledged a dedicated deployment of these principles to serve and safeguard students' interests.

During a post-NANS National Convention press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Obi pointed fingers at Seyi Tinubu for the disturbance and chaos witnessed at the convention venue. He accused the President's son of abusing his authority by employing security personnel to interfere with the student body's proceedings, aiming to manipulate the election outcome.

"The NANS National Convention, scheduled for November 27th – 30th, 2023, witnessed mobilization of student leaders from various tertiary institutions to Abuja for the election of new leadership," Obi remarked.

He continued, highlighting unwelcome external influences on the election process, stating, "Individuals masquerading as government agents attempted to forcefully impose unpopular leaders, influenced by biases such as political affiliations and proximity to power corridors. However, student leaders vehemently opposed these attempts at hijacking the organization."

Obi specifically pointed out resistance against the imposition of Mr. Seyi Tinubu's candidate, who lacked recognition as a student in any Nigerian tertiary institution. He further criticized the excessive deployment of the Department of State Security (DSS) for partisan purposes, allegedly working in favor of Tinubu's interests and causing disruption at the convention.

"With the successful conclusion of the convention, it marks a new chapter for students," Obi affirmed. "The principles of Capacity, Content, and Competence, promised during my campaign, will guide our actions in safeguarding Nigerian students' interests."

He reassured a commitment to tackle challenges with intellectual acumen, affirming, "Our administration will not be used as pawns to serve individual interests at the expense of students. Our focus is on restoring order, dignity, and eradicating anti-educational policies while collaborating with governmental bodies to uplift Nigeria's educational sector."

In conclusion, Obi called upon the public to extend support to the newly elected NANS leadership. "We implore Nigerian Students to stand in solidarity with us as we become the voice of the voiceless and authentically defend students' interests," he urged.

"We anticipate inviting you soon to unveil our comprehensive agenda for the administrative year ahead," Obi concluded on behalf of his executives, expressing gratitude to Nigerian students for their unwavering support and resilience.

Source: Leadership