The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, has accused thugs allegedly linked to Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, of violently disrupting the association’s inauguration ceremony held Tuesday at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja.
According to Atiku, the attackers, armed with machetes and guns, stormed the event in a coordinated assault, leaving several attendees injured and many dispossessed of their mobile phones and personal belongings. The violence reportedly escalated during the speech of former Minister of Education and ex-Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, with thugs allegedly cutting short the proceedings and chasing guests from the hall.
Also targeted in the attack was former Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, who was swiftly evacuated by his security detail amid the chaos.
“At the inauguration hall which I personally paid for, Seyi Tinubu arrived with heavy security and ordered the event stopped,” Atiku told SaharaReporters. “When we continued regardless, his thugs entered wielding weapons, disrupting Senator Shekarau’s speech and attacking attendees. I was beaten and taken to an unknown location.”
Atiku further alleged that the assault stemmed from his refusal to accept a ₦100 million bribe reportedly offered to silence him ahead of the inauguration. He claimed the offer came through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students and Youth Affairs, allegedly acting on Seyi Tinubu’s instruction.
“This was a premeditated attack. They had tried to buy me off. When that failed, they resorted to violence,” Atiku said, adding, “Nigerians should beg Seyi to spare my life.”
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach Shekarau and Wada for comments were unsuccessful, as both former governors declined to respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
The NANS leadership transition, which followed a controversial national convention on February 27, 2025, had been fraught with allegations of factionalism and external interference. The latest events have deepened fears of political intrusion into student affairs and raised concerns about the safety of student leaders.
As of press time, neither Seyi Tinubu nor the Presidency has issued a statement in response to the allegations.
