The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Friday, distanced itself and disowned one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claimed to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, where he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

A statement by the NANS Senate President, Babatunde Akinteye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said his position was baseless, fraudulent, and does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS nor does it reflect the sentiments of Nigerian students nationwide.

Akinteye insisted that the said person holds no position in the organization as claimed, urging Ergo and the Nigeria Football Federation to disregard the threat of protest.

“The attention of the leadership of the NANS has been drawn to a frivolous and mischievous report credited to one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claims to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, wherein he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

“It is imperative to categorically state that his position is baseless, fraudulent, and does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS, nor does it reflect the sentiments of Nigerian students nationwide.

“For the record, the said person holds no position in the organization as claimed by Ergo, the NFF should disregard the threat of protest.

“Thus, we unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the disingenuous utterances of these self-appointed individuals, whose credentials and affiliation with NANS are dubious at best. It is evident that they are criminals attempting to exploit the respected name of NANS for nefarious blackmail and financial inducement.”

The president therefore called on security agencies to immediately invite and investigate those impostors for impersonation and an attempt to incite public unrest.

“Their recklessness constitutes a direct affront to the credibility and integrity of NANS as an institution.”

On the appointment of Chelle, Akinteye acknowledged and respected the prerogative of NFF to make technical decisions that he believes will advance the fortunes of Nigerian football.

“We implore the NFF to remain resolute in its professional decisions and ignore the empty threats of protest by nonentities masquerading as NANS representatives.

“However, we strongly urge the NFF to extend their scouting activities to Nigerian campuses, where a plethora of untapped football talents reside. By creating a pipeline that identifies, develops, and promotes homegrown players, the Federation will be making a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian football.

“Ultimately, let it be known that no organ of NANS, at any level, has endorsed or proposed any protest against the appointment of Chelle as the Super Eagles coach. Any claims to the contrary are the concoctions of desperate impostors whose agenda remains suspect and antithetical to the progress of Nigerian students.”

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