Babtee-Gates: Youths, Students bemoan NANS factional Senate President over “Money for Protest” saga
Many Nigerians have applauded the leadership of various youth and student groups for dissociating selves from an ill-fated planned protest organised by one Babatunde Afeez Akinteye(Babtee), a factional Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
Akinteye is said to have written letters to about 13 youth and student groups calling on them to mobilize for a protest against a former chief of Defence Intelligence. Report has it that about 5 groups have turned town Akinteye’s request inspire of monetary inducements.
From a very close associate of Akinteye (name withheld), it was gathered that a certain top government official is sponsoring the planned protest to smear the image of the former General as first 3,500 dollars was allegedly released to Babtee on 1st November, 2024 and another 8,500 dollars released on 8th November, 2024. It has been gathered that the Protest is being planned for a date before the stipulated date on the letters shared by Babtee.
One of the groups Akinteye wrote to for mobilization support; The FCT Youth Council ably led by Comrade Barnabas Yakubu in a press release made available to journalists during their brief this evening in Garki, Abuja did not only dissociate their council from the protest but also issued a stern warning to Mr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez.
Barnabas told journalists that investigation reveals an alleged issuance of 8,500 dollars to Akinteye Afeez by a yet to be identified senior Government official who wants a protest held in order to character assassinate a former Chief of Defence Intelligence.
“We will not participate in such an ungodly protest neither will we allow it to hold in any part of the Federal Capital. Babtee or what ever he is called will have FCT Youths to contend with if he tries to assemble anybody for protest in Abuja”, Barnabas angrily stated.
In another twist, the leaderships of the Youth Federation of Nigeria, YFN and Nigerian Students Parliament have joined the dissociation train.
Below is the content of the reply from Youth Federation of Nigeria to Akinteye Afeez:
The President of Senate
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
C/o Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (Babtee)
8th November, 2024
Dear Babtee,
RE: The Call for Protest against Maj.Gen SA Adebayo, rtd.
I wish to inform you that I received your letter which was a call to mobilize members of the Youth Federation of Nigeria from Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa states and FCT for a protest against former Chief of Defence Intelligence.
I write to inform you that we will not participate in such a protest as the motives are uncertain and incoherent.
I will advise that you desist from any financially induced protest targeted for cheap political gains and shared character assassination.
Thanks.
Comr. Mubarak Aliyu Rimi
President YFN