Ola Akinwunmi
In a turn of events, Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has categorically denied allegations leveled by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Comrade Atiku Isah. The NANS leader had claimed that on April 15, he was subjected to a brutal assault following his refusal to accept a N100 million bribe aimed at promoting the Nigerian President’s agenda.
At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Comrade Atiku Isah detailed the disturbing encounter. According to Isah, both Seyi Tinubu and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, were implicated in an offer of a substantial financial bribe to secure his support for the President’s inauguration. Isah maintained that after his firm rejection of the N100 million bribe, he was viciously attacked—stripped naked and brutally beaten by unidentified assailants. “I was abducted on the 15th of April. I was stripped naked and seriously beaten. They threatened to release a video. They told me nothing would happen if they released the video, and even if they killed me, Seyi Tinubu would order a cover-up,” Isah recounted, emphasizing his unwavering resolve by adding, “I made it clear that even if I were shot, I would still come to this hall.”
Reacting swiftly to these grave accusations via his Instagram stories on Friday, Seyi Tinubu dismissed the claims as completely baseless and defamatory. “Wow… how can someone lie with so much confidence? An attempt to defame my character. May God be with you, Comrade Atiku Isah,” Tinubu remarked, clearly incensed by the allegations.
He reiterated that he had never held any meeting with the NANS President, nor had he ever met him in any context related to the purported bribe. “I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. I have never knowingly met him before, nor did I visit any location with thugs. All these allegations made by Atiku Isah are completely fictional,” he stated emphatically.The stark contrast between the NANS President’s claims and Seyi Tinubu’s rebuttal has ignited a firestorm of reactions across social media and political circles.
While some observers call for a deeper investigation into the claims and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, others see this as yet another politically motivated skirmish in a highly charged atmosphere. With the nation closely watching the unfolding drama, questions about accountability and the integrity of public figures have been rekindled.