In a dramatic turn of events, factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Atiku Isah, has retracted his earlier allegations against Mr. Seyi Tinubu with a public apology on “false claims” and “misguided assumptions.”
The apology, made via a lengthy statement published on Isah’s Facebook page, comes days after he sparked a national uproar with a viral video accusing Tinubu of orchestrating his abduction, assault, and coercion for rejecting an alleged ₦100 million bribe.
The video had circulated widely on social media, prompting outrage and demands for clarification from the Presidency and concerned civil society groups.
In the original footage, Isah claimed that he was invited to Lagos by Tinubu and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Ayodele Olawande. He said he was offered ₦100 million to switch allegiance and declare support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to his claims at the time, upon refusing the offer, he was abducted, beaten, stripped, and taken to the Nigerian Television Authority where he was forced to resign as NANS President on live television under duress.
However, in a stark reversal, Isah now says those events did not happen as initially described. “Please permit me, dear Nigerians, to set the record straight regarding my viral video,” the embattled student leader wrote.
“The offer of ₦100m which I alleged was made to me to support President Tinubu was clearly untrue”, he wrote.
Isah attributed the misinformation to Mr. Ladoja Olusola, whom he accused of manipulating him into making the video with false and inflammatory narratives. He described Olusola as someone desperate to unseat him and assume leadership of NANS through “the back door.”
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“It was Ladoja who fed me with lies and half-truths. He warned me that Seyi Tinubu would have me killed and that the Inspector-General of Police would cover it up. He painted Seyi as a dangerous man, and I believed him. I now know better” he claimed.
According to Isah, this same individual convinced him that the President’s son had stormed the venue of his inauguration with thugs to disrupt the ceremony—another claim Isah now admits was fabricated.
“I later found out that Mr. Seyi was nowhere near the venue. These were calculated lies meant to instill fear and confusion,” he stated.
Isah also retracted allegations against Minister Olawande, clarifying that while he was indeed invited to Lagos, the interaction was peaceful and cordial.
“Yes, we hugged. Yes, we met. But there was no offer of ₦100 million. That never happened,” he said.
The apology has generated mixed reactions within the student community and among political observers.
While some commended Isah for admitting his error and taking responsibility, others questioned his credibility and the motives behind both the initial accusations and the retraction.
“This entire episode exposes the dangerous levels of factionalism and desperation within NANS,” said Idayat Hassan, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development.
“Young leaders must understand the weight of public speech and the consequences of misinformation, especially when it involves public figures.”
The Presidency has yet to issue an official statement on the apology, although sources close to the Tinubu family say they are “relieved” that the truth has come to light.
Seyi Tinubu, a businessman and philanthropist known for youth empowerment initiatives, had faced a wave of public criticism after the initial allegations. At the time, his associates strongly denied the claims, calling them “baseless, politically motivated lies” meant to damage his reputation and that of the President.
Minister Olawande, who had also come under scrutiny, has remained tight-lipped since the apology was issued.
The internal crisis within NANS appears far from over, as the leadership tussle between Atiku Isah and rival factions, including Ladoja Olusola, continues to deepen.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the association may be headed for an emergency convention to resolve the legitimacy of its leadership following months of division, conflicting communiqués, and protest actions.
Observers warn that until the group addresses its internal disunity, its ability to represent the interests of Nigerian students remains severely compromised.
“How can you advocate for students when your house is in disarray?” asked Zainab Balogun, a student leader at the University of Ilorin. “The entire ordeal has been embarrassing to watch.”
Isah’s public apology is seen as an attempt to restore his standing and possibly refocus attention on student advocacy rather than internal politics. He ended his statement by appealing to Nigerians for understanding and expressing regret for “any damage caused to the image and character of Mr. Seyi Tinubu.”
TheConclave
