By Folorunso Alagbede, in Abuja
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), has vowed that any attempt to undermine the democratic choice of Nigerian Polytechnic students will not go unchallenged.
The association made the vow in a statement on Sunday signed by its acting President, Comrade Ishola Usman Adewale and its Chief Press Secretary, Comr. Lanre Idris Mustapha.
The NAPS declared that the interest, welfare, and voice of every Polytechnic student remain its utmost priority.
The association declared that it will protect the integrity of the mandate entrusted it with sweat, resolve, and, if need be, with blood.
The NAPS maintained, strongly, that it will not allow the vision and future of its great students to be hijacked by power-hungry elements who “seek to trade our collective will for a platter of gold”.
The interest, welfare, and voice of every Polytechnic student, the association pledged, remain its utmost priority.
The NAPS called on all well-meaning stakeholders, students, and the public to “stand with us in this time of trial, as we move to preserve the sanctity of leadership and the values upon which NAPS was built”.
The statement by the NAPS reads, “In light of recent developments within the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), it is important to address the alarming situation that has shaken the core of our democratic structure.
“It is with deep concern that we report that opposition figure Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan (popularly known as ShopRite), alongside a group of organized political thugs, corrupt stakeholders, and external forces, orchestrated a campaign of threats and intimidation against our National President, Senator Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, FCAI.
“This coercion was aimed at forcing his resignation, an action that stands in clear violation of the constitutional provisions that govern our great association.
“Let it be known that this attempt to undermine the democratic choice of Nigerian Polytechnic students will not go unchallenged.
“In accordance with constitutional protocol, and in defense of the mandate freely given to us by students during the Minna Convention in Niger State, I, Comrade Ishola Usman Adewale, the duly elected Vice President of NAPS, hereby step in as the Acting President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students.
“The interest, welfare, and voice of every Polytechnic student remain our utmost priority.
“We shall protect the integrity of the mandate entrusted to us—with sweat, resolve, and, if need be, with blood.
We will not allow the vision and future of our great students to be hijacked by power-hungry elements who seek to trade our collective will for a platter of gold.
“Let it be firmly stated: we will not succumb to intimidation, threats, or suppression.
“NAPS remains an independent, democratic platform for Nigerian Polytechnic students and no amount of oppression will deter us from upholding the truth, justice, and the Constitution of our association.
“We call on all well-meaning stakeholders, students, and the public to stand with us in this time of trial, as we move to preserve the sanctity of leadership and the values upon which NAPS was built”, the statement concluded.
