By Ovat Abeng
The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), is currently grappling with a crisis.over the distribution of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to higher institutions nationwide.
A faction of the Students body is accusing it National President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe and the Students Senate President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, of being selective in the distribution formula.
The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.
The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State, Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-official, Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties, Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education, Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad, Comrade Muhd Muazu, Mamuna Bello, Paul Edoh Gabriel, Kabiru Saminu, and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to Journalists in Awka on Monday.
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A copy of the petition was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director General DSS Head Quarters Abuja, Inspector General of Police Headquarters Abuja, EFCC, ICPC, SSA to the President on Students Matters, Minister of Transportation, NANS Zonal Coordinators, NANS JCC Chairmen as well as all SUG Presidents, asking particularly, President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid break down of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.
The petition read in part; His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presdent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
“This decision, made by the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comr. Lucky Emonofe in collaboration with the Senate President Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.
“The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students, have been selectively distributed leaving many students without access to this vital resources. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.
“The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of this buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation.
“Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging time across the country.
“Furthermore, this incident will likely be perceived as a gross dereliction of duty by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President and the Senate President, which will in turn reflect poorly on your administration commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is imperative to take decisive action to address this issue and restore the trust and confidence of students in the leadership of NANS.
“In view of the afore-mentioned fact, we request that you take the following actions; We demand a thorough investigation into the distribution process to identify those responsible for the unequal distribution of the buses. We call for the immediate redistribution of the buses to ensure that all students have equal access to this resource.We demand that the President and Senate President of NANS be held accountable for their actions and that appropriate disciplinary measures be taken due to shortage of this buses within campuses.
*From the foregoing, we hereby pass a Vote of no confidence on the duo of Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez.8. We believe that it is your responsibility as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the resources meant for the benefit of all students are distributed fairly and transparently.
“We hope that you will take immediate action to address this issue and restore the trust of Nigerian students in the leadership of NANS.”
