Allegations, Denials, and Political Accusations: Tensions Rise Over Claims Against President Tinubu’s Son

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu over explosive allegations of assault and abduction involving his son, Seyi Tinubu. The incident has ignited a storm of controversy, political blame-trading, and calls for accountability.

At the center of the storm is Atiku Isah, a factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who alleged that he was attacked and abducted on April 15 after rejecting a N100 million bribe allegedly offered by Seyi Tinubu and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande. Isah claimed the offer was made during a meeting in Lagos as an attempt to secure student group support for the Tinubu administration. He said he was later stripped, beaten, and held against his will by unidentified men.

In a swift response, Seyi Tinubu strongly denied the allegations, calling them fabricated and politically motivated.

“Wow… how can someone lie with so much confidence? An attempt to defame my character. May God be with you, Comrade Atiku Isah,” Seyi wrote via Instagram.

“I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. I have never knowingly met him before, nor did I visit any location with thugs. All these allegations are completely fictional,” he added.

Defending the President’s son, Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs and former NANS President, Sunday Asefon, accused Isah of being a political pawn, allegedly backed by opposition figures, including former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Asefon further claimed Isah was residing in El-Rufai’s home and shared photos showing him with prominent opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Omoyele Sowore, and Sule Lamido.

“They now see that Seyi is a political asset to his father, so they want to destabilise him,” Asefon stated, branding the abduction claims as a coordinated smear campaign.

Asefon also challenged Isah’s legitimacy, insisting the recognised NANS president is Olusola Oladoja.

Reacting to the new accusations, Isah denied ever living in El-Rufai’s home. “I have not seen El-Rufai in over nine years,” he said, adding that his brief meetings with opposition figures were either incidental or in pursuit of advocacy support.

“I visited Atiku after several failed attempts to reach him, and I met Sowore for the first time at a public birthday event. Does that mean I am working for them?” Isah asked.

While affirming his support for President Tinubu’s leadership, Isah stressed that he wouldn’t trade away truth or accountability for political alignment.

Atiku Abubakar, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, condemned what he called an “intimidation campaign” against the student leader.

“It is intolerable that the first family would seek to subjugate NANS or any civil society group through threats, bribes, or brute force,” Atiku said. “The presidency is a public trust, not a private inheritance.”

He also called for an independent investigation into Isah’s claims, warning that silencing dissent could harm Nigeria’s democratic fabric.

In a counterpoint, pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere defended the Tinubu family, dismissing the accusations as “salacious, fallacious, and completely unfounded.” In a statement signed by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, Afenifere described the episode as a “proxy war” by opponents lacking the courage to confront the President directly.

The group urged Nigerian student bodies not to allow themselves to be used as tools in political battles.

As tensions rise, the Nigerian public is left grappling with multiple narratives and growing calls for transparency, fairness, and the protection of civil voices.