A former Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS), Mr Timileyin Ayenuro, has asked for sanity in the students’ body in ensuring effective implementations of its principles and policies.
Ayenuro, in a telephone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, said that violence and thuggery must not be tolerated in the association.
“Those with no rightful role in NANS must withdraw immediately. Those involved in acts of violence, impersonation, or threats to public safety must be arrested, interrogated, and appropriately cautioned.
“Let it be unequivocally stated: I do not support cultism in any form.
“Let us reclaim the dignity of the student voice. Let NANS return to what it was meant to be as a platform for leadership, not lawlessness.
“If we are truly committed to reform, we must start with ourselves. Real change within NANS begins with honesty, integrity, and accountability.
“While there are many pressing issues to address, the priority now must be restoring order and legitimacy to the association,” he stated.
Ayenuro said that instead of championing campus welfare and advocating student rights, the association was embroiled in leadership disputes, impersonation, and violent assaults.
According to him, NANS has long stood as a symbol of unity, advocacy, and leadership, however, the recent developments are threatening to tarnish the association’s legacy.
He asked security operatives to investigate activities of the association and flush out any cult related trends from the association.
“Though NANS is not a cultist organisation, there is growing evidence that some individuals with cult affiliations have infiltrated its ranks, attending NANS events and manipulating the system to claim unofficial positions of power.
“Security agencies must act swiftly. The situation has escalated beyond mere student politics.
“If immediate steps are not taken, there is a real risk of a cult-related conflict within the student community something that would have far-reaching implications for safety, governance, and the credibility of student leadership in Nigeria.
“Alarmingly, some of these individuals have risen to prominence by posing as informal security personnel during NANS conventions and activities.
“They’ve used this influence to create self-styled titles and falsely claim executive authority, thereby misleading the public and tarnishing the image of NANS.
“As a former two-time national executive of this great association, I find it deeply disturbing that some people now support this misconduct blindly, ignoring the long-term consequences for the student body and the nation,” he stated.
Ayenuro noted that NANS had a long tradition, stating that factionalism was not new to its history but however must never tolerate impersonation, illegitimacy, or misrepresentation in any form.
Leave a Reply