#FreeNnamdiKanu Protest: “We Have No Link With Sowore”, NANS Clarifies Position
••••Urges Parents To Caution Children, Calls For ASUU-FG Dialogue Within 72 Hours
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has categorically distanced itself from a planned protest reportedly being organized by activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates, warning Nigerian students nationwide not to be deceived or used by “selfish and politically motivated individuals.”
Addressing journalists during a press conference held on Thursday at the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, the President of NANS, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, described reports linking the association to the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanu protest scheduled for October 20 as false, misleading, and mischievous.
Oladoja, who spoke alongside zonal and campus leaders of the student body, said the national leadership convened the briefing to “set the record straight” and protect the integrity of NANS from being dragged into political controversies.
“We wish to state categorically and unequivocally that NANS is not, and will not be, part of any protest organized or influenced by Omoyele Sowore or any other politically motivated group or individual. The entire claim is false, mischievous, and designed to drag the name of our noble association into political controversies that do not align with our mandate as a student body,” Oladoja declared.
He explained that while the association remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, it would not allow its platform to be hijacked by politicians or activists pursuing personal or partisan interests.
According to him, NANS believes in rule of law, due process, and peaceful engagement, and will not participate in any agitation relating to the ongoing legal proceedings involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The matter concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a legal issue before a competent court of law. It would therefore be inappropriate, unlawful, and irresponsible for NANS to mobilize any protest on a matter before the judiciary,” the student leader added.
Oladoja accused Sowore and his allies of using NANS’ name to gain credibility for their “politically driven agenda,” emphasizing that the association would remain focused on education, youth development, peace, and national unity, not partisan politics.
The NANS president appealed to parents and guardians across the country to caution their children and wards against joining any protest “sponsored by greedy and self-serving politicians.”
“These individuals exploit the energy and vulnerability of young people for personal gain while abandoning them when crises erupt,” he said, urging the media, the public, and security agencies to disregard any claim that NANS is mobilizing for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.
Oladoja reiterated that there is no faction within NANS, stressing that the body remains “one united and legitimate national students’ movement” with a clearly defined structure and leadership.
“There’s no faction in NANS, and nobody is willing to join Sowore’s protest. This is the only legitimate NANS, and this press conference is being held simultaneously across other zonal structures,” he affirmed.
Comrade Oladoja also spoke on the ongoing impasse between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, following the lecturers’ two-week warning strike.
He disclosed that NANS had conducted an independent assessment of the crisis and discovered lapses on both sides, urging both parties to immediately return to the negotiation table within 72 hours.
“We have done our research and seen the problem. We therefore urge ASUU and the Federal Government to reconvene within 72 hours and resolve this dispute. Nigerian students cannot continue to suffer for issues they did not create,” he stated.
Present at the event includes Anzaku Shedrack, Secretary-General; Adejuwon Olatunji, Assistant Secretary-General; Kelvin Nduka, Director of Travels and Exchange; Festus Oyewole, NAPS Senate President; and Ibrahim Ibrahim, Chief of Staff, among others.