NANS Transparency Group Raises Alarms About Candidate’s Character, Past Allegations

As the 2023 Annual Convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) approaches, the NANS Transparency Group has voiced its concerns about a candidate with a questionable character, allegedly linked to student kidnappings, and supported by former Governor Okowa as his aide.

NANS, a long-standing ideological organisation, has always stood for unity, justice, and the fight against oppression. The NANS Transparency Group believes that electing a candidate with a history of violence could be detrimental to the organisation’s core values.

The group specifically points to an incident in 2018 at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where it was alleged that one Comrade Pedro Obi and his associates kidnapped Omote Idugun Kelly, a fellow student leader who was competing for the position of Deputy Senate President of NANS. The alleged incident occurred just before a Senate sitting that would have allowed by-elections to fill vacant positions.

Rather than facing consequences for this act, Pedro Obi was appointed as the Special Assistant on Students’ Matters by former Governor Okowa, immediately after serving as Deputy President of the Senate in NANS.

The NANS Transparency Group has called on all stakeholders, especially the presidents of Students Union Governments, to exercise caution in the forthcoming NANS election and to scrutinise the character and actions of candidates. They expressed concerns that Pedro and his associates may tarnish NANS’ reputation if elected president.

The convener of the NANS Transparency Group, Abdullahi Jamilu, emphasised the importance of preserving NANS’ core principles and urged a thorough evaluation of all candidates running for leadership roles within the organisation.

NANS members and stakeholders will be closely watching as the 2023 election draws near, with hopes of maintaining the organisation’s values and integrity.