Abuja – In a dramatic turn of events, Atiku Isah, the factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has publicly retracted his explosive allegations against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, admitting that his previous claims were false and fueled by misinformation.
Isah had earlier accused Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, of attempting to bribe him with N100 million in Lagos in exchange for promoting the President among Nigerian students.
He also claimed to have been abducted, stripped naked, and assaulted for refusing the alleged offer — a claim that triggered national outrage and strong denials from the accused parties.
However, in a Facebook post published on Wednesday titled “Setting the Records Straight / Public Apology to Seyi Tinubu”, Isah admitted that the allegations were not only false but orchestrated under the influence of deceit from his rival, Olusola Ladoja, who also claims the NANS presidency.
“It has become clear that the offer of N100,000,000, which was alleged was made to me to support President Tinubu, was clearly untrue,” Isah wrote.
“Ladoja Olusola, who was desperate to get me out of my legitimate position as the duly elected President of NANS, fed me lies and half-truths for the sole purpose of achieving his selfish agenda.”
Isah said Ladoja manipulated him into believing that Seyi Tinubu posed a threat to his life and political future. “It was Ladoja who warned me that Seyi Tinubu could order my killing and then instruct the Inspector General of Police to bury the case,” he stated.
He further recanted his claims that Seyi Tinubu personally led thugs to disrupt his inauguration. “I made these claims owing to the picture of Seyi Tinubu painted to me by Ladoja Olusola… In fact, I later found out that Mr. Seyi was nowhere near the venue.”
The student leader admitted that his April 15th claims — including the alleged abduction and forced recantation broadcast on NTA — were made under false pretenses and emotional manipulation.
“I tender an unreserved public apology to Mr. Seyi Tinubu for the defamation, hurt, and reputational damage my initial claims may have caused. I was misled, and I take full responsibility for not verifying the information before making it public,” he said.
The development casts a new spotlight on the deepening leadership crisis within NANS, which has been plagued by factional disputes and internal power struggles for months.
Isah’s admission could further weaken his faction’s legitimacy and bolster the standing of Ladoja in the ongoing leadership tussle.
Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu, who had consistently denied all allegations, has not yet issued a response to the apology as of press time.
This retraction comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding the Tinubu administration, with public trust, youth engagement, and image management at the forefront of national discourse.
As the NANS crisis escalates, observers are calling for institutional reforms to prevent political manipulation and ensure the integrity of student representation in Nigeria.