Afenifere rejected the abduction of Seyi Tinubu as a ‘proxy war against the presidency’

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has sailed the ongoing controversy about the accusation of attack and kidnapping of Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.

In a very strong statement released on Friday, the group described the claim as “obscene, wrong, and truly unfounded.”

The statement, signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Kole Omololu, rejected the accusation as an effort calculated by the enemies of the political enemies to launch an indirect attack on the president.

“This is a proxy war against the president and his family by political opponents who do not have the courage to fight openly,” the group said, stating that the accusation was motivated politically rather than rooted in the truth.

The accusation came from a press briefing held in Abuja by Kawan Atiku Isah, a president of faction from the National Nigerian Student Association (Nans), who claimed he was attacked and kidnapped on April 15 by unknown people. Isah accused that the incident followed his rejection of the N100 million bribery that was said to be offered by Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to get public support for the Tinubu government.

According to Isah, the attack occurred shortly after the meeting in Lagos, where the alleged bribery efforts occurred. He further claimed that he was stripped, brutal, and detained outside of his will.

Also read: Seyi Tinubu denies the bribery of President Nans, a kidnapping claim

However, Seyi Tinubu firmly denied the accusation, describing it as a “fabrication” intended to damage his reputation. In a response shared through his Instagram stories, Seyi stated, “I have never held a meeting to discuss any issue with Camelarad Isah in Lagos or anywhere in the world. I have never consciously met him before, I also did not visit any location with the criminals. All these accusations were really fiction.”

Supporting the rejection of Seyi, a special assistant for the President for student affairs and former President of Nans, Sunday Asefon, accused that the claim of the student leader was regulated by political actors who wanted to disrupt the administration of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

El-Rufai, reacts to accusations on the handle of X (previously Twitter), calling for accountability and transparency, questioning the silence of law enforcement agencies. “What happens here? Is there a rejection by the perpetrators mentioned or any response from law enforcement agencies or questions by human rights organizations? We must ask questions, demand answers and actions !!

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also considered, condemning what he described as “intimidation” of civil society leaders. Through his aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku warned not to reduce the government into a family affairs.

“It cannot be tolerated that the first family will try to conquer Nans or any civil society group through threats, bribery, or rough power. Presidential is public trust, not personal heritage,” he said, when calling for an independent investigation of the problem.

However, Afenifere stated that the commotion was a strategic campaign by those who did not want to face administration through legitimate political channels. This group also urged student leaders and youth groups to refuse to be used as “political pawns.”

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