Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has refuted allegations made by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, denying any involvement in a purported N100 million bribery offer or physical attack related to student union activities.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page on Friday, Seyi stated unequivocally that he has “never knowingly met” Comrade Atiku Isah and denied orchestrating or participating in any act of violence, bribery, or political interference.
“These allegations by Atiku Isah are completely fictional,” Seyi wrote. “I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. Neither did I visit any location with thugs.”
His response follows a series of claims made by Atiku Isah, who alleged during a press conference on Wednesday that Seyi Tinubu attempted to bribe him with N100 million in Lagos to gain support for President Bola Tinubu. Atiku further claimed that after rejecting the offer, he was physically assaulted by thugs allegedly linked to the president’s son during a disputed NANS inauguration ceremony in Abuja.
SaharaReporters had earlier published the NANS president’s account, in which he accused Seyi of collaborating with a faction within NANS to sabotage his leadership and disrupt the student body’s inauguration event.
Atiku recounted that he was invited to Lagos to meet with Seyi and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande. During the alleged meeting, he claimed the minister welcomed him warmly, after which the supposed bribe was proposed. “But the thing is, it’s not all about money. There are things which I stand for,” Atiku stated.
Seyi Tinubu, however, categorically denied ever being in such a meeting or making any monetary offer. He reiterated that he has no connection to any attack or effort to influence student politics.
As of press time, the presidency and the Minister of Youth Development have not issued formal statements on the matter. The allegations have sparked significant public debate, with calls from some civil society groups for an independent investigation.
The controversy adds another layer of scrutiny to the relationship between political figures and student unions in Nigeria, raising concerns about undue influence, youth political autonomy, and democratic governance in academic institutions.
