The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Axis, has accused the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez, of impersonation and misrepresenting the organization.
They alleged that Azeez had repeatedly acted without authorization issuing letters, making unsolicited representations, and misleading stakeholders while disguising these actions under the cover of his governmental office.
The NANS chairman, Comrade Gabriel Francis, stated this on Wednesday, during a world press conference organized to address recent developments and clarify the association’s official position.
Speaking at the conference held in Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta, the apex student body alongside Student Union Presidents of eight out of twelve various institutions, accused Governor Abiodun’s aide of parading former NANS executives as current office holders for personal gain and diverting resources or benefits meant for the association.
He said, “ The Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez Amoo, has repeatedly acted without authorization issuing letters, making unsolicited representations, and misleading stakeholders while disguising these actions under the cover of his governmental office.
“He is parading former NANS executives as current office holders for personal gain and diverting resources or benefits meant for the association and several allocations supposedly sent to NANS Ogun Axis were never delivered or were misappropriated under his supervision.”
The student leaders while commending Governor Dapo Abiodun for his dedication to improving the welfare of the people and channeling rice palliative directly to each campus, saying “this is the first time the students across all our campuses benefited directly from the government consider to the time past when everything is being handed over to comrade Adeyemi Azeez.”
“ He diverts palliatives, welfare items, and resources released by the Governor specifically for Students’ Union President and recognized stakeholders while indicting the Governor of not releasing any palliative to the students constituency claiming the SSG, Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Education blocked it from getting to the students.
“This misconduct has contributed to growing mistrust, hardship, and unnecessary tension within the student community. Azeez is a political appointee, not an executive of NANS Ogun State Axis, and should not be recognized as a representative of the students.”
The leadership also highlighted numerous allegations of orchestrated violence and disruptions in institutions such as MAPOLY and other locations, adding that Azeez has caused attacks and harassment against reputable individuals and student leaders who refused to align with him.
Francis however, raised concerns over alleged plans to attack him and other student leaders for choosing to stand for truth and transparency and appealed to security agencies to remain alert and ensure protection for all student leaders committed to genuine advocacy.
He also urged the DSS and the police, to investigate past attacks on student leaders and political leaders even from Adeyemi’s local government and all reported abuses of power.
When contacted by our correspondent, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez, described the recent controversy as an “internal disagreement” stressing that the issue was brought to him, and he offered his advice, but some individuals chose to air their grievances publicly.
Azeez alleged that external forces are attempting to manipulate the situation for political gain, warning that the truth will eventually come to light.
“What happened is nothing more than an internal disagreement among them. They brought the issue to me, and I offered the advice I believed was best. Unfortunately, two individuals who were dissatisfied chose to vent their frustrations through the media.
“It is clear to me that an external force is attempting to use them to advance a political agenda. In due time, whatever is hidden will be exposed.What I know for certain is that no one can pressure me into doing what is wrong or acting against my leader and the current leader of our party in the state, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun” he added.
The conference had attendance the Secretary, Nans Ogun JCC, Comrade Adelola Babatunde, Student Union President of D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic Itori, Senator Okunuga Odunayo, Muizz Olatunji of Olabisi Onabanjo University,Ago Iwoye, Balogun Olaolorun of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapaade, Woleola Olawole of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, and Kuforiji Agbolagade of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, IJebu Igbo.
Others include Federal College of Education Abeokuta’s Akintanmide Abraham, Ishola Marvelous of Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese IJebu and Ogunfowora Oluwashinaayomi of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun.
