Ogun NANS writes national president, alleges plot to create crisis

By Adesina Wahab

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State Axis, has written the National President of the body, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, over attempt by some people to cause crisis in the association.

In a statement endorsed by the leaders of various institutions in the state, the group called on the NANS president not to allow anybody to hoodwink him into taking unguided decisions regarding the state of affairs of the association in the axis.

The statement was endorsed by the SUG President, Olabisi Onabanjo University, the SUG President, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, the SUG President, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, the SUG President, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, the SUG President, Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences (OSPOHAS), Ilese-Ijebu, the SUG President, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro (now Federal University of Technology, Ilaro), the SUG President, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, and the SUG President, Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade, Saapade.

“We, the undersigned Students’ Union Presidents under the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State Axis, write to respectfully inform the general public and most importantly the National President of our great Association, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, of our collective position regarding the artificial crisis currently being sponsored by some unscrupulous elements in the Gateway State.

“First, we wish to categorically state that at no time was there any Senate sitting in Ogun State Axis where a decision was taken to suspend or remove any duly elected executives of NANS/JCC Ogun State for alleged constitutional violations. Such claims are false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create confusion within the student community and destabilize the peaceful structure of NANS in Ogun State.

“Secondly, the statement purportedly signed by some senators contains signatures of institutions that are unknown to the constitutional structure of NANS, as some of the listed schools are not accredited institutions under NANS and do not have recognized Students’ Union Governments (SUGs) or legitimate student representatives. This clearly exposes the fraudulent nature of the said statement and the desperation of those attempting to destabilize NANS Ogun State Axis.

“Furthermore, it is important to clearly state that the Chairman of NANS Ogun JCC remains the legitimate and constitutionally recognized leader, having personally mobilized and presented senators from Ogun State who were duly accredited at the last NANS National Convention and the Zone D South-West Convention, where he was officially recognized and accredited as the JCC Chairman. This clearly establishes his legitimacy and acceptance within the constitutional framework of NANS.

“It is also necessary to clarify that the Chairman is a conversion student of Federal University of Oye Ekiti Affiliated with Federal Polytechnic of Ilaro FPI with Full-Time (FT) status with matriculation number FTP/EEE/25/0116401 and not a part-time student, contrary to false claims being circulated to discredit his leadership. These misleading narratives are politically motivated and aimed at creating unnecessary tension and division among student leaders in Ogun State.

“We also find it disturbing that a Chairman who has served diligently for over 13 months, working tirelessly to unite students, strengthen institutional representation, and maintain stability within NANS Ogun JCC, is now being subjected to victimization and political attacks driven by selfish interests of a few stakeholders.

“The recent statement credited to the Senate President has unfortunately created tension, confusion, and unnecessary anxiety among student leaders, stakeholders, and even security operatives in Ogun State, as it portrays a position that does not reflect the true constitutional reality of NANS Ogun State Axis.

“For us to recognize the legitimacy of the directive of the Senate President, the Senate President must produce the notice of Senate sitting, the attendance list of the Senators, the venue where the sitting held and the minutes of such Senate Sitting. The NANS Senate which is saddled with upholding the constitution must not be found to be breaking it.

“Also, Article 8, subsection 3: VI clearly stipulates the specific cases in which the Senate is empowered to remove a NANS Officer which is: negligence of duty, embezzlement of any form or any form misappropriation of funds. The issue of eligibility is clearly not in the prerogative of the NANS Senate and as such the Senate President clearly acted outside of his constitutional powers.

“It is therefore instructive to note that  Such a development is capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere within the student community and undermining the credibility of NANS National.

“We respectfully urge the National President to use his good office to liaise with the NANS Senate President to thoroughly investigate the matter and revisit his position, in order to restore clarity, peace, and constitutional order within NANS Ogun State Axis.

“We urge the National President to publicly clarify that the said position is not the official verdict of NANS National, so as to clear the air and prevent further tension and misinformation within the student community and among security agencies.

“We request the necessary support and institutional backing to peacefully conclude the NANS Ogun State Axis transition process already in the pipeline, especially now that the Pre-Convention has been successfully held and the I-CPC Committee has been constituted and announced.

“We appeal that the I-CPC Committee be given every necessary support to conduct a peaceful, credible, transparent, and inclusive convention that reflects the collective interest and democratic will of all Nigerian students in Ogun State.

“We want to clearly state that the Senate arm and constitutionally recognized Students’ Union Presidents in Ogun State remain committed to peace, unity, stability, and the collective progress of Nigerian students across the state. We will not allow the selfish interests of a few individuals to destabilize the structure, credibility, and democratic foundation of our Association.

“We therefore call on all well-meaning stakeholders, student leaders, security agencies, and the general public to disregard any false narratives or misleading statements being circulated in the name of NANS Ogun Senators, as due process and constitutional procedures must always be respected in the affairs of NANS.

“Finally, we reaffirm our loyalty and confidence in the leadership of the National President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja GCNS, and we trust in his capacity to ensure that justice, fairness, unity, and the rule of law prevail in NANS Ogun State Axis.

“Thank you for your urgent attention and commitment to protecting the integrity of NANS.”