By Kolawole Ojebisi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has weighed in on the alleged attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, to influence the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), to support his father’s reelection bid.
Atiku urged Tinubu to prevail on his family not to treat Nigeria as a personal property.
This is contained in a statement issued by Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Friday.
The statement was titled ‘Tinubu Must Call His Family To Order: Nigeria Is Not A Private Estate’
The former number two citizen warned the First family against using its influence to intimidate, manipulate or induce NANS or any civil society organisation to do its bidding.
He stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must urgently rein in his family members, particularly his son, Seyi Tinubu, who appears determined to purchase political loyalty for his father by any means necessary, including coercion, violence, and intimidation.
“The serious allegations made by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students , Comrade Atiku Isah — alleging physical assault, abduction, and inducement at the hands of Seyi Tinubu — are deeply alarming and strike at the core of democratic norms and civil liberty. That such grave accusations are being levelled against a member of the first family is both disturbing and dangerous.
“Had this incident ended fatally, it would have been recorded among the growing list of atrocities committed by criminal elements in the country. That it is allegedly tied to the President’s own son makes it even more horrifying. What’s worse is the emerging suggestion that even top security officials are not beyond Seyi Tinubu’s overreaching influence — an unacceptable compromise of state institutions.
“It is intolerable that the first family would seek to subjugate the NANS — or any civil society group — through threats, bribes, or brute force. Nigeria is a democratic republic, not a monarchy handed down to one family.”
Atiku emphasised that Isah’s advocacy and public position should be subjected to objective assessment not falsehoods.
“Well-meaning Nigerians must rise to speak out. The actions of the President’s family — specifically their rabid drive to consolidate political power through manipulation and fear — must be condemned unequivocally. We must remind them that the presidency is a public trust, not a private inheritance.
“Attempts to drag former Vice President Atiku Abubakar into this scandal by alleging a political alliance with Comrade Isah are baseless, malicious, and desperate. Atiku Abubakar’s meeting with Isah was centered solely on education reform and improving student welfare, which also includes institutions he founded, like the American University of Nigeria and AUN Academy.
“Comrade Isah’s advocacy and public stance must be evaluated based on fact, not fiction. The allegations of abuse he has made demand an independent investigation, especially since the very agencies meant to protect citizens appear complicit in his ordeal.
“We issue a clear warning: nothing must happen to this young man. Any harm to him will not go unnoticed or unchallenged. Nigerians deserve truth, accountability, and a leadership that respects the rule of law — not a regime that weaponises power to silence dissent.”Atiku added.
Recall that Comrade Isah Atiku, a factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, on Wednesday, alleged that Tinubu’s son attempted to bribe him with N100 million in Lagos to publicly support his father’s second time ambition.
Isah claimed he turned down the offer, stating he could not endorse a president who had failed to deliver on his campaign promises.
He alleged that his stance attracted assault, stripping and abduction by thugs on April 15.
Meanwhile on Friday, Seyi debunked the allegation, dissociating himself from Isah’s alleged harassment.
He stated that he had never met Isah and accused him of fabricating the story to tarnish his reputation.
