Heavy gunshots on Wednesday rocked the vicinity of the old parade ground in Abuja, venue of the national convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), according to videos obtained by SaharaReporters.
NANS, the umbrella body of students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, is currently holding a convention to elect a new set of national leaders.
A source, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said some students sustained wounds from the gunshots and machetes after thugs loyal to a candidate said to be the preferred choice of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, began attacking opposition delegates.
The thugs were said to have been led by one Sunday Asefon, recently appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagements.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how students and stakeholders kicked against the candidature of one Lucky Emonefe, a 48-year-old citizen, as president of the association.
Emonefe, who has been parading himself as Seyi’s preferred choice left the College of Education, Warri, Delta State 20 years ago (2003), SaharaReporters learnt.
It was learnt that some politicians had raised millions of Naira to influence the ongoing election and support his candidature.
“It’s extremely shameful to see old men who should rather be more concerned about the lives and welfare of their wives and kids fighting for positions in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),” a student had told SaharaReporters.
“Imagine someone who left the College of Education since 2003, about 20 years ago is now planning to become President of the association due to selfishness of some people working with politicians.”
Another student added, “This same old man, his wife is a serving councillor under PDP in Delta, she is serving her second tenure, so you can guess his age. He is supported by the Delta State Government machinery over this.
“But in Abuja, he is claiming to be an APC member after racketeers led by Asefon collected millions of Naira from him and sold him to Seyi Tinubu as APC candidate for NANS President. Now they came here and started shooting anyhow and attacking delegates who are not in Lucky’s support.”
SaharaReporters gathered that about seven other aspirants are contesting to be President of the students’ association.