The Forum of Former Presidents of the National Association of Nigerian Students has cautioned the Danielson Akpan-led executive over alleged tenure elongation
Tijani Shehu, the President of NANS 2014, in a statement on Monday on behalf of the forum, alleged that the tenure elongation has amounted to abuse of NANS constitution and office.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NANS Council of Zonal Coordinators had on June 9 written an open letter to the NANS Senate president over the tenure elongation bid of Comrade Akpan.
Shehu said the election of principal officers to pilot affairs of the organization was last held on June 9, 2018 at the Old Parade Ground Abuja, adding that it was now two years since they were elected as against one year academic calendar.
He said failure of the NANS president and other officials to transit power after overstaying in office against the constitutional duration has continued to generate concerns in the association.
He said: “The Zonal Coordinators who are in charge of the six geopolitical zones issued two weeks ultimatum to Danielson Akpan the President of NANS to call for 2020 National Convention to usher in new leadership or face an Independent Rescue Action (IRA).
“After all necessary consultations with relevant past leaders, we unanimously set June 25 for a stakeholders meeting in Abuja to resolve all issues concerning the 2020 NANS National Convention.
“The meeting became imperative especially to avert the looming crisis in the organisation over Danielson Akpan’s nonchalant attitude towards a convention after 23 months against the constitutional 12 months tenure, is a clear breach of constitution.”
The Forum called for the immediate reconstitution of a Local Organising Committee to perfect all arrangements for a hitch-free election process in Abuja, the Senate-approved venue.
They also called for the adoption of four strategic venues within Abuja for voting by each zone in fulfillment of social distance order by the Federal Government and announcement of proposed date with invitation letter for convention.
