By Kingston Magare
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been split into two factions, which have taken contrasting opinion about President Bola Tinubu’s latest petrol price hike.
On Wednesday a faction led by Henry Okuomo president of the NANS senate issued a statement condemning the price hike from N617 per litre to N879 per litre. Some retailers are selling the at N1,200 per litre outside Lagos.
Mr. Okuomo said in his statement circulated widely online that students are ready to mobilise and protest the increase, which many fears would worsen the economic situation the country, starting from September 15, 2024.
But in counter statement, Babatunde Akinteye who also claimed to the NANS senate president dismissed the call for action saying: “We strongly urge the public, the media, and all stakeholders to disregard these false reports.
“The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities who seek to exploit the name of NANS for their malicious purposes.
“They aim to destabilise the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.
“We hereby call on the security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the origin of this misinformation. Those responsible for spreading these falsehoods must be identified and held accountable.”
But Mr. Okuomo who appeared on Channels TV talkshow Sunrise Friday insisted that students’ body will embark on nationwide protests.
“Nigerians are currently facing a lot. We are facing hardship, and now, the government has increased fuel prices again. This has affected us as students. And as student leaders, we don’t have a choice now but to fight for the people.
“We are occupying one of the largest stakes in the country, having over 40 million Nigerian students in the country.
“With that, we think we should make our voice loud at this time to save the Nigerian people from this undue stress and suffering being put upon them by the government.
“We have determined that on the 15th of this month, no going back. We are hitting the street hard.
‘We are going to demand not only for a reduction in fuel price but for other things that are affecting the nation in general.
‘We are going to do it. We will hit the streets if the government does not reverse most of the hardship policies before then.”
