The Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA), the umbrella body of all Yoruba youth groups, has condemned recent misinformation and character attacks against Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
The condemnation was expressed in a communiqué issued on Sunday following a meeting in Ibadan, which was attended by 38 affiliated sister unions. The communiqué was signed by the YYA President, Mr. Thomas Olarinde, and the Spokesperson, Mr. Jide Alofe.
The statement comes in response to allegations made by factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Isah, who accused Seyi Tinubu of disrupting his inauguration in Abuja and locking the event venue.
“We strongly condemn the baseless allegations made by Atiku Isah, claiming that thugs linked to Mr. Seyi Tinubu assaulted him. These claims are unfounded, malicious, and politically motivated,” the communiqué read.
The YYA also refuted Isah’s claim that he was offered a N100 million bribe, describing it as a deliberate falsehood aimed at discrediting reputable individuals like Mr. Sunday Asefon.
Mr. Thomas Olarinde further accused opposition forces of using Atiku Isah to destabilize the student movement and tarnish the reputations of dedicated youth advocates.
Olarinde urged Isah to cease spreading misinformation and causing confusion, emphasizing that he had not participated in the official NANS convention or elections. “As such, he lacks legitimacy to speak or act as NANS President. His continued impersonation is deceitful and a calculated attempt to mislead the student body and the general public,” he said.
The YYA president also called on Isah to respect Seyi Tinubu, who is actively involved in supporting youth development initiatives across Nigeria.
Additionally, Olarinde affirmed Mr. Olusola Oladoja as the legitimate NANS President, dismissing other claims as fraudulent and misleading. He warned that the matter now threatened the integrity of student representation across the country.
“YYA vows not to allow impostors to hijack student platforms for selfish political purposes. We will resist any effort to distort facts or misuse student platforms for manipulation,” Olarinde stated.
