Gunshots in Abuja at NANS Convention as Members Allege Plots to Impose 48-Year-Old as President

Heavy gunshots on Wednesday rocked the vicinity of the old Parade Ground, Abuja venue of the national convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), according to videos obtained by SaharaReporters.


NANS, the umbrella body of students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, is currently holding a convention to elect a new set of national leaders.

A source, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said some students sustained wounds from the gunshots and machetes after thugs loyal to a candidate said to be the preferred choice of the son of a highly placed Nigerian began attacking opposition delegates.

The thugs were said to have been led by someone recently appointed as a presidential aide on a matter relating to students.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how students and stakeholders kicked against the candidature of one Lucky Emonefe, a 48-year-old citizen, as president of the association.

Emonefe, who has been parading himself as a preferred choice of a popular Nigerian youth left the College of Education, Warri, Delta State 20 years ago (2003), SaharaReporters learnt.

It was learnt that some politicians had raised millions of naira to influence the on-going election and support his candidature.

“It’s extremely shameful to see old men who should rather be more concerned about the lives and welfare of their wives and kids fighting for positions in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),” a student had told SaharaReporters.

“Imagine someone who left the College of Education since 2003, about 20 years ago, now planning to become President of the association due to selfishness of some people working with politicians”, the student wondered.

Another student added: “This same old man, his wife is a serving councillor under PDP in Delta, she is serving her second tenure, so you can guess his age. He is supported by the Delta State Government machinery over this.

“But in Abuja, he is claiming to be an APC member after racketeers led by a presidential aide collected millions of naira from him and sold him to some powerful forces as APC candidate for NANS President. Now they came here and started shooting anyhow and attacking delegates who are not in Lucky’s support.”

SaharaReporters gathered that about seven other aspirants were contesting to be president of the students’ association.