Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) have been accused of mobilising support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Biodun Oyebanji, among students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.
SaharaReporters gathered that a vehicle bearing markings associated with the national leadership of NANS was sighted around the EKSU campus environment late Friday as student leaders and youth representatives allegedly engaged undergraduates in political discussions ahead of the crucial poll.
According to sources who spoke with SaharaReporters, a blue Toyota vehicle carrying an inscription indicating its affiliation with the NANS national headquarters was seen around the university community where some NANS officials urged students to vote for the APC candidate in Saturday’s election.
Several students who claimed to have witnessed the interactions alleged that the visitors attempted to influence voting decisions by appealing to student leaders and promising benefits if they could mobilise support for the ruling party.
One student told SaharaReporters, “They came around the campus area and were speaking with student leaders. The message was basically that students should support Governor Oyebanji during the election.”
