Conflicting Reports On NANS Reaction To Hike In Fuel Price
Conflicting Reports now trail reaction of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NAN, following hike in fuel price.
While earlier report said that NAN had threatened to shut down all major cities, and declared Nationwide Protests, another report has denied that earlier report, describing such report. as unfounded.
According to the first report, NAN said that the protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued a notification of a planned massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective September 15, 2024.
The protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
The students union demands an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Male Kyari as the NNPC Director General.
The students plan to occupy all major cities on September 15, 2024, and have assured that the protest will be peaceful and lawful if NNPC authorities refuse to fulfil the demands of protesters.
The notification has been sent to various security agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Chief of Defence Staff, Nigerian Armed Forces, and all State Governors.
A circular issued to pass the shutdown notice reads: “We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.
“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.
“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”
However, the second report denied Planning Nationwide Protest
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Senate President of NANS, Babatunde Akinteye, clarified that the association neither announced nor endorsed any protest action. The statement called the rumours baseless and unrepresentative of NANS’s actual position and intentions.
“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been made aware of misinformation circulating on various platforms, suggesting that NANS is orchestrating a massive shutdown of major cities across the country,” Akinteye said.
“We wish to categorically state that NANS has not announced or endorsed any such protest. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organisation.”
The statement stressed that NANS remains committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with stakeholders, rather than disrupting national peace.
“As the umbrella body representing the interests of Nigerian students, we have always been dedicated to peaceful advocacy and constructive dialogue,” the statement continued. “Maintaining peace and stability is crucial, especially during these challenging times. Actions leading to civil unrest or disruption of public order are not, and will never be, supported by NANS.”
NANS urged the public, media, and all stakeholders to disregard the false reports, noting that those behind the rumours are anonymous entities aiming to exploit the association’s name for malicious purposes.
“We strongly urge the public and security agencies to disregard these false reports. The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities seeking to destabilise the country and create rumours are faceless entities seeking to destabilize the country and create unnecessary tension. We disassociate ourselves from such plans or intentions,” Akinteye added.
The association also called for a thorough investigation into the origins of the misinformation and urged security agencies to act decisively against those using NAN’s name to incite unrest.
“We urge security agencies to apprehend any individuals or groups attempting to use the NANS name to incite unrest or disrupt national peace. It is imperative that the integrity of our democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld.”
“NANS remains steadfast in advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students through peaceful, lawful, and constructive channels. We stand firmly for peace, progress, and national unity,” the statement concluded.
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