A fresh controversy has erupted within the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following the appointment of Oladele Omotayo, popularly known as Dele Kenko, as Chairman of the Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC). The decision, announced last Saturday during a pre-convention meeting in Delta State, has drawn sharp criticism from a presidential aspirant who alleges that the move could undermine transparency ahead of the association’s forthcoming national convention.
The appointment was made by the President of NANS, Olushola Oladoja, who was elected for a one-year tenure at the convention held in Abuja on February 27, 2025. With preparations underway for the next round of executive elections, the convention planning committee is expected to oversee critical aspects of the transition process, including accreditation, coordination, and ensuring compliance with the association’s constitution.
However, a presidential aspirant, Dotun Opaleye, has openly faulted the appointment, describing it as controversial and inconsistent with long-standing convention within the student body. In a statement issued on Monday, Opaleye argued that appointing a committee chairman from the same geopolitical zone expected to produce the next NANS president breaks established precedent and could erode confidence in the electoral process.
Opaleye maintained that while the NANS president possesses the constitutional authority to appoint members of the convention planning committee, such powers should be exercised with sensitivity to regional balance and institutional integrity. He questioned whether the decision implied a lack of capable candidates from other zones and warned that it could cast doubt on the legitimacy of the convention’s eventual outcome.
The aspirant further alleged that personal ties between Kenko and one of the presidential hopefuls may compromise neutrality, insisting that global best practices demand that individuals overseeing elections be free from any perception of bias. He likened the situation to judicial standards, where a judge is expected to recuse himself from cases in which impartiality may reasonably be questioned. Opaleye therefore called for an immediate reconsideration of the appointment and the selection of a chairman from another geopolitical zone to ensure fairness.
In contrast, the Forum of Zonal Coordinators of NANS has thrown its weight behind the appointment, expressing full confidence in both the committee and the broader electoral process. In a statement signed by Hussaini Ebbo, the North Central Zonal Coordinator and Chairman of the Forum, the student leaders congratulated Kenko and described his emergence as a reflection of the trust reposed in his capacity, integrity, and commitment to the association.
The coordinators emphasized that the credibility of the forthcoming convention would depend largely on neutrality, transparency, and strict adherence to the NANS constitution, often referred to as the Charter of Demand. They urged all aspirants to cooperate with the committee and warned against actions that could destabilize the transition process. According to them, the entire student body across the federation expects a convention that reflects the true spirit of democracy, accountability, and inclusiveness.
As the debate continues, observers within the tertiary education sector note that leadership contests within NANS often generate intense scrutiny due to the association’s historical influence in national discourse and student advocacy. With preparations for the convention ongoing, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the controversy subsides or escalates into a broader legitimacy challenge for the incoming leadership.
