Students under the auspices of National Association of Niger State Students have split over their choice of governorship candidate.
The division has led to the suspension of the association’s President, Comrade Sani Yahaya.
Investigations have it that the National Executive Council and Students Representative Council of NANISS on Monday suspended Yahaya for six weeks over alleged diversion of a bus and misappropriation of funds.
According to a statement signed by the Senate President, Senator Mubarak Gana: “We unanimously suspended the National President of NANISS for six weeks for negating the ethics and constitutional provision of the association by syphoning N1.5 million and a Hiace Bus belonging to the association to join the political campaigns of the All Progressives Congress.
“Comrade Yahaya was suspended in line with the provisions of NANISS national constitution 2009 as amended section 15 sub section 1 & 4 respectively. He must return the bus within the time frame of 21 days. And our resolve to suspend him was reached by the Parliament which was held on the 26th of January 2019.”
However, the erstwhile President told newsmen: “I remain the President and I can support any candidate or political party of my choice. The suspension will not stand because they are aggrieved and are supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.”
The Senate in a statement made available to journalists advised the suspended President to hand over all properties of the association to the acting National President, Comrade Amina Ibrahim, adding: “Any official appearance by the president whether in person or proxy shall be termed as impersonation which shall be treated in line with the laws of the land.”
Ibrahim disclosed that the NEC of NANISS will not leave any stone unturned in making sure the president produces the bus and returns the N1.5 million he allegedly syphoned in the name of repairing the car.
She said: “We suspended him because of misappropriation, derogation of constitutional provisions. And this is few out of the 10 allegations contained in a letter dully signed by the executive council members.
“”The Senate President is to serve as chairman of the panel to investigate the allegations and, if found guilty, he shall be punished according to the provisions of the constitution without fear or favour.”
The Senate President further disclosed that the budget and appropriation committee will continue to monitor the implementation of the budget, adding that Ibrahim is to act in the capacity of the president as acting National President.
He warned: “By this, any appearance by the suspended national president in any public function either in person or in proxy shall be regarded as derogation or breach of the constitution, which would amount to impeachment without fear or favour.”
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