Seyi Tinubu,
Atiku Abubakar Isah, who identifies as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has publicly withdrawn his earlier claims against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Atiku distanced himself from the allegations he made in a viral video circulating on social media.
In that footage, he had claimed that both Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Ayodele Olawande, summoned him to Lagos and offered him N100 million to pledge allegiance to President Tinubu.
He further alleged that his refusal led to his abduction on April 15, 2025.
Atiku had detailed that during his abduction, he was stripped and beaten, alleging the involvement of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in coercing him into making an “involuntary statement purportedly abdicating my position as NANS President.”
However, in a recent letter posted to his Facebook page, Atiku issued a direct apology to Seyi Tinubu, stating his previous accusations were unfounded.
“It has become imperative to note that the offer of N100,000,000 which was alleged was made to me to support President Tinubu was clearly untrue as Ladoja Olusola, who was desperate to get me out of my legitimate position as the duly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), fed me the lies and half truths for the sole purpose of achieving his selfish agenda of taking over the reigns of the student body through the back doors,” Atiku wrote.
He also alleged that Ladoja warned him of a possible threat from Seyi Tinubu: “It was also Ladoja Olusola, who warned me that Mr Seyi Tinubu could order my killing and thereafter instruct the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to bury the matter.”
Additionally, Atiku admitted that his previous assertion, claiming Seyi Tinubu led thugs to disrupt his inauguration, was inaccurate.
He clarified, “I made these claims owing to the picture of Seyi Tinubu painted to me by Ladoja Olusola who swore to me that Seyi was doing everything to ensure I am not alive to serve my tenure as NANS president. Infact, I later found out that Mr Seyi was nowhere near the venue.”
Reacting to the apology, NANS Public Relations Officer, Samson Ajasa, expressed skepticism over Atiku’s reasoning.
He questioned how Atiku could rely on the same individual he accused of trying to usurp his position.
“Of course it is natural for him to shift the blame after realising that his allegation against Seyi Tinubu couldn’t stick.”
“How can you base your claims on an advised allegedly received from the same Ladoja Olusola you formed a NANS faction against? I’m glad the media can now see him for who he is,” Ajasa said.
