In a shocking press conference held on Wednesday, Atiku Abubakar Isah, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), accused Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, of attempting to bribe him with N100 million and later orchestrating his abduction and assault.
Atiku recounted the disturbing events surrounding the attack on his inauguration ceremony in Abuja, revealing that Seyi Tinubu allegedly tried to sway his loyalty by offering a substantial bribe. According to Atiku, the intent was to manipulate the student leadership body for political gains—a proposal he firmly rejected.
He stated that following his refusal, violence ensued. Thugs allegedly linked to Seyi Tinubu disrupted the NANS inauguration on Tuesday. Atiku described the assault as politically motivated, recounting that he was abducted on April 15, stripped naked, and brutally beaten. He claimed that the Managing Director of NTA was complicit in efforts to force him into resigning from his position under duress.
“They wanted me to announce I had stepped down. I did it just to gain my freedom, but immediately released a statement exposing the coercion,” he said. “They filmed me while I was naked and beaten. They told me even if they killed me, it would be covered up on Seyi Tinubu’s orders.”
Atiku accused several individuals, including Ladoja, of threatening to involve top police authorities to suppress the incident. Despite the threats, Atiku stated his resolve to go ahead with the inauguration and continue his role as NANS President.
“The inauguration was unorganised and rushed. Yet I stood firm. I want Nigerians to know the truth,” he declared.
He expressed his commitment to eliminating cultism and political thuggery from the student association. “NANS has been hijacked by criminals acting as tools for politicians. We are here to fight that.”
Atiku didn’t mince words in his criticism of Seyi Tinubu, labelling him “a bad example to Nigerian youth” and warning of the dangers should he ever rise to political power in Lagos.
“Seyi Tinubu is shameless and lacks character. If we were in a country where justice worked, authorities would have retrieved the video from his phone and prosecuted him.”
He further alleged that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs also had possession of the disturbing footage.
In a defiant close to the press briefing, Atiku said: “If they think they can silence me, they are mistaken. I won’t endorse a president who hasn’t earned it. If he does something commendable, we’ll support him. But I won’t be used.”
He also confirmed that his refusal to accept the bribe triggered the entire ordeal.