ABEOKUTA– Student leaders under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun JCC have passed a vote of confidence on its chairman, Comrade Francis Abiola, declaring he remain the authentic leader of the association in the state.
The resolution was reached during a pre-convention press conference attended by Students’ Union Presidents and JCC executives from accredited tertiary institutions across Ogun State, held in Abeokuta, Monday
Speaking at the event, a senator representing Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Sen. Shina Ogunfowora dismissed reports of the Chairman’s alleged suspension, describing it as misleading and constitutionally defective.
“There was no valid Senate sitting in Ogun State to deliberate on or remove any duly elected executive of NANS Ogun JCC. What is being circulated is a fabrication aimed at causing confusion and destabilising the association.
“Some of the listed schools are not accredited by NANS. This clearly exposes the fraudulent nature of that statement.
“The so-called removal of the Ogun JCC Chairman is unconstitutional and of no effect. We will disregard that purported Senate sitting entirely,” he said.
The senators, in a communique after the meeting therefore announced the ratification of 12 accredited institutions under the Ogun JCC, noting that only schools duly recognised by NANS and ratified by the Senate President are eligible to participate in NANS activities.
They further faulted a statement allegedly issued by some individuals claiming to be senators, insisting that several names and signatures attached to the document were from institutions without recognised Students’ Union Governments.
“Any institution not ratified and accredited by NANS will not be allowed to partake in NANS activities.
“Some of the listed schools are not accredited by NANS. This clearly exposes the fraudulent nature of that statement,” he added.
Reaffirming Comrade Francis Abiola’s legitimacy, the Students’ Union Presidents noted that he was duly elected and recognised during the last NANS National Convention and the Zone D South-West Convention, where he presented accredited senators from Ogun State.
The student leaders therefore called on the National President of NANS to intervene, investigate the matter, and clarify the official position of the national body in order to restore peace within the Ogun State axis.
The open letter and resolutions were jointly endorsed by Students’ Union Presidents of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye; Federal College of Education, Abeokuta; D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijebu-Ode; Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese-Ijebu; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo.
