Atiku’s refusal was met with what he termed “a violent response” when thugs linked to Seyi Tinubu disrupted the inauguration event held on Tuesday.
By Titilope Adako
A factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah has alleged that Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande attempted to bribe him with N100 million to influence his ambitions.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, Isah recounted the events leading up to an attack on his inauguration ceremony in Abuja.
He said Seyi Tinubu approached him with the offer, seeking to sway his position.
However, the he claimed he rejected the bribe, which he described as an attempt to manipulate student leadership.
Atiku’s refusal was met with what he termed “a violent response” when thugs linked to Seyi Tinubu disrupted the inauguration event held on Tuesday.
Atiku shared these details during the association’s inauguration.
He explained that he was invited to Lagos to meet with Seyi Tinubu and the Youth Minister.
Upon meeting, Atiku said, “The Minister for Youth, when he saw me, hugged me in Lagos. We talked, and I was to be offered N100 million. But the thing is, it’s not all about money. There are things which I stand for.
“You cannot ask me to begin to promote a president who has not done something for me to say he has done it. If he does something good, I will promote him. We will support him as the president and commander-in-chief. But where he is, you cannot say I should keep quiet.”
He further stated that when he refused to accept the money, they planned his abduction.
“I was abducted on the 15th of April. I was stripped naked, beaten seriously in collaboration with the MD of NTA. The MD of NTA was our package to make an involuntary statement that I have renounced my position as NANS president. I did that to gain my freedom, but immediately, I released a press statement that I was forced under duress. Because I was naked, I was beaten. They claimed they would share the video,” Atiku explained.
He continued, “They told me that nothing would happen if they shared the video, and even if they killed me, Seyi Tinubu would order a cover-up. Ladoja, who was involved, said he would instruct the Inspector General of Police to cover it up and that if the police didn’t comply, he would go.”
Atiku added that despite the threats, he remained determined.
“I made it clear that even if I am shot, I will still come to this hall. The inauguration proceeded, and I was announced as president. I want Nigerians to know what has happened and that we will not give up. Seyi Tinubu can do anything he wants, but we are determined,” he said.
He said the inauguration was poorly organised and rushed.
“You can see the organisation was not correct. The MC was told to start without any protocol,” he said, stressing the importance of fighting against cultism and criminal elements within the student body.
“We will fight the cultists. We will take away the cultists and touts from NANS. They are just a bunch of criminals. When politicians want to do anything, they recruit them, and that is what we have come to fight.”
Atiku condemned Seyi Tinubu as a bad example to Nigerian youth and warned that his potential rise to power in Lagos would be detrimental to the country.
I Never Met Him – Seyi Tinubu
Seyi Tinubu has refuted allegations that he bribed Isah to promote his father’s administration.
Tinubu described the allegations as an attempt to defame his character.
Reacting in an Instagram post on Friday, Tinubu stated, “Wow.. how can someone lie with so much confidence…?? Wow wow… an attempt to defame my character. May God be with you, Comrade Atiku Isah.”
In another post, he added, “I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. I have never knowingly met him before. Neither did I visit any location with thugs.”
Join us on our Whatssap Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌍 Closer to Your Doorstep