The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Ekiti State Axis, has strongly condemned the alleged intimidation and threat by the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, to withdraw the school certificate of NANS Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olubodun.
In a fiery statement signed by the NANS Ekiti JCC Chairman, Femi Asaolu, the student body accused the institution’s management of a deliberate attempt to silence student activism. NANS described the petition against Olubodun as a blatant act of intimidation, emphasizing that the institution had no justification for targeting him over an official memo released by the student body.
The controversy stems from a memo issued by NANS addressing concerns about the institution’s management. According to NANS, the memo originated from the association’s leadership and was not a personal statement from Olubodun, who previously served as the institution’s Students’ Union President. The association has demanded an immediate apology and a retraction of the petition within 48 hours, warning of serious consequences if the school fails to comply.
NANS insisted that the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, should channel any grievances directly to the association’s executives instead of singling out its PRO. Asaolu emphasized that Olubodun was simply carrying out his constitutional duties as NANS spokesperson and should not be victimized for doing so.
The student body also expressed outrage over what it called an attempt to use Olubodun’s past leadership role against him. NANS reiterated that his dedication to advocating for students’ rights remains unwavering and warned that any attempt to punish him for his activism would not be tolerated.
The association issued a stern warning, stating that failure to withdraw the petition and issue a formal apology would be met with swift and decisive action. NANS reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigerian students against any form of harassment and assured that it would closely monitor the situation to ensure justice is served.
As tensions rise, all eyes are on the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, to see how the institution will respond to the students’ demands. The confrontation underscores the ongoing struggle between student activists and school authorities in Nigeria, raising broader concerns about the treatment of student leaders who speak out against perceived injustices.
