Abuja, Nigeria – A major political scandal is brewing as the newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Pedro Chibuzo Obi, has made grave allegations against Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a startling revelation during a press briefing in Abuja, Comrade Obi claimed he was kidnapped after rejecting a ₦100 million bribe allegedly offered by Seyi Tinubu to influence the outcome of the NANS convention held in November 2023. According to Obi, the bribe was meant to ensure that the leadership of NANS was handed over to a government-backed candidate.
“They tried to buy me. They offered ₦100 million for me to hand over the association to their preferred stooge,” Obi alleged. “When I refused, I was abducted and held against my will. This is a clear violation of my rights and an attempt to destroy the autonomy of Nigerian students.”
He went on to accuse Seyi Tinubu of using government security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to disrupt the NANS election process. Obi said DSS operatives prevented delegates from gaining access to the convention venue and manipulated the environment to suppress democratic decisions.
“The DSS was deployed to the venue to chase away legitimate delegates and intimidate us. The goal was to install their own person,” he claimed.
Comrade Obi, who eventually emerged as the winner of the hotly contested election, said he feared for his life and called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and international organizations to take the matter seriously.
“This is not just about me. It’s about Nigerian students and the future of our democracy. If we allow politicians and their children to hijack student leadership, then we are doomed as a nation,” he warned.
Reacting to the allegations, the NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, issued a strongly worded statement denying any involvement by Seyi Tinubu in the convention. He described Obi’s claims as “fabricated, unsubstantiated, and deeply mischievous.”
“The leadership of NANS was elected through a transparent and democratic process. At no time did Seyi Tinubu or any political figure interfere with our affairs,” Babatunde said.
He further stated that the allegations were part of an internal conflict within the student association and should not be used to malign individuals without evidence.
Meanwhile, public reaction has been swift. Several student groups and advocacy organizations have condemned the alleged use of security agencies to interfere in student politics. They are calling for an independent investigation into Obi’s claims.
The Human Rights Advancement Network (HRAN), in a statement issued today, described the allegations as “deeply troubling and deserving of urgent attention.”
“If a student leader can be abducted and harassed for refusing a bribe, then the foundations of democracy are under threat. We demand a thorough investigation by the National Assembly and relevant authorities,” the group said.
Seyi Tinubu and the Presidency have not issued an official response to the allegations as of press time.
As the controversy deepens, the integrity of NANS and the role of political influence in student affairs are being called into question. Observers warn that if not properly addressed, this crisis could erode trust in one of the country’s most influential youth movements.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as they unfold.
