President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, has dismissed allegations that he attempted to shield the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, from scrutiny, insisting that his position has always been in defence of due process and the rule of law.
In a statement issued in response to an open letter written by Comrade Aligwoekwe Minister Udochukwu, the NANS President said his comments on national issues had been deliberately misrepresented.
Akinteye maintained that he had never interfered with the constitutional responsibilities of anti-corruption agencies or sought to prevent any lawful investigation of public officials.
According to him, every public office holder must remain accountable under the law, while anyone found culpable after due process should face appropriate sanctions.
He, however, condemned what he described as trial by media, political persecution and attempts to destroy the reputation of individuals based solely on allegations before the conclusion of investigations.
The student leader also defended his remarks on the Chief of Staff, saying Gbajabiamila had made significant contributions to education and student development over the years.
He noted that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives had consistently supported initiatives that benefited Nigerian students and remained accessible to student leaders, stressing that acknowledging such contributions should not be interpreted as placing anyone above the law.
Akinteye further rejected suggestions that NANS should restrict its activities to campus-related issues, insisting that the association has historically played a broader role in promoting democracy, accountability, social justice and national development.
He said issues of governance, economic policy and national security directly affect the future of Nigerian students and therefore fall within the association’s legitimate area of concern.
The NANS President stated that under his leadership, the association had continued to engage governments at all levels on matters affecting students, including tuition increases, insecurity on campuses, student loans, improved welfare, employment opportunities and institutional development.
He argued that attempts to reduce NANS to an organisation concerned only with tuition fees ignored its historic role in national advocacy, recalling the association’s involvement in struggles against military rule and in defence of democratic governance.
Akinteye reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students, good governance and the promotion of justice, stressing that supporting due process should never be mistaken for defending corruption.
He urged critics to adopt a more balanced approach to leadership and public advocacy, adding that NANS would continue to protect the interests of students while contributing responsibly to national discourse.
The student leader reiterated his commitment to providing what he described as a courageous and independent voice for millions of Nigerian students.
The doing NANS, God dey your back