NANS National Nullifies NANS Zone A ‘North West’ Coordinator’s Purported Impeachment, Disbands Organisation’s Zonal Stakeholders

NOTICE OF NULLIFICATION OF PURPORTED IMPEACHMENT OF NANS ZONE A (NORTH WEST) COORDINATOR

The National Secretariat of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) receives with total condemnation and deep disappointment the report of the purported impeachment of the democratically elected Zonal Coordinator of NANS Zone A (North West) by certain stakeholders who ordinarily are expected to serve as the moral compass for guidance, unity, and peacekeeping within the Zone.

It is important to place on record that the National Secretariat had earlier intervened to ensure an amicable resolution of the issues that led to the present crisis. Following reports and recommendations from an investigation committee constituted by Zone A stakeholders and executive members—wherein the Zonal Coordinator was alleged to have sold a Siena bus and a Hiace bus in his possession—the Presidency of NANS summoned the embattled Coordinator to the National Secretariat.

In compliance, the Coordinator appeared before the National Secretariat with the said vehicles. The President subsequently directed him to present the vehicles to the Zone A stakeholders for proper assessment and verification, in order to clear the air on the allegations of sale. While the two vehicles were thereafter seized by the stakeholders—an action which ordinarily falls outside their purview—the National Secretariat considered this as a temporary measure to allow further confirmation that there was no arrangement with any dealer or buyer, and that the vehicles were not merely presented for show under short notice.

Furthermore, the President directed the Coordinator to formally tender a written apology to the stakeholders over allegations of rude conduct and acts of disrespect reported during the period of accusations and counter-accusations. In the same vein, the President also wrote to the Zone A stakeholders, appealing for restraint and an amicable resolution of the matter, especially as the principal allegations had been effectively disproved with the production and verification of the vehicles now in their possession.

It is therefore shocking and unacceptable to receive reports of a purported impeachment carried out under the guise of what was meant to be an inauguration ceremony of the zonal executive. For the record, no organ, group, or assembly within NANS has the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove a democratically elected officer except the NANS Senate, in strict compliance with laid-down procedures. Under no circumstance can an inauguration gathering be converted into a Senate sitting for the purpose of impeachment.

Consequently, in the best interest of NANS and for the preservation of constitutional order and organizational stability, the purported impeachment of the NANS Zone A Coordinator is hereby declared null and void, having fallen short of constitutional requirements and due process.

Furthermore, the NANS Zone A Stakeholders’ Forum, being a traditional and non-constitutional structure, is hereby disbanded with immediate effect pending further directives.

All members of the Zone A Executive are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante as established at the Jigawa Convention of the Zone.

The disbanded Stakeholders’ Forum is also directed to return all properties of the Association, including the Siena and Hiace buses, to the duly recognized Zonal leadership within seventy-two (72) hours of this notice.

The National Secretariat will not hesitate to take further disciplinary actions against any individual or group that undermines the constitution and unity of the Association.

Signed,

Comr. Olushola Oladoja
President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).