We Remain Non-Partisan, But We Have Our Candidate- Lagos NANS

When a source recently spoke with Sanusi Sulaimon, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Lagos Chapter and he explained who their preferred candidate for tomorrow’s gubernatorial election is.

As a student’s body, does Lagos NANS have a preferred candidate for the gubernatorial election? 

Yes, that’s for sure. Akinwunmi Ambode is the man we are rooting for. This is because we believe in the progressive and in the fact that they can also effect the change we want for the Nigerian Students. The progressives listen to students and it may interest you to know that of recent, a bus was given to each of the student union government in Lagos State. Besides, Ambode is more experienced in government, his level of experience will help in taking Lagos to a greater height.

Does that mean the students are happy with the LASU fees issue, which was only returned to normal a few months before election?
Yes, we are presently okay with the arrangement on ground as regards the tuition fees increment and its eventual reduction. Moreover, there is an agreement with the Governor that the fees will not be increased again.

When was that agreement reached? And who were those present at the time of signing the papers?
Well, the agreement was reached after the reduction and in the APC candidate’s manifestoes, it was one of the things that made us align with him as the incoming governor of Lagos state. LASU student union president as well as a few others can also testify to this.

But, as a Students’ Union body, are you supposed to sway towards one particular candidate, seeing that your colleagues may also have other choices?
That is very true. Every one is free to make his choice because we are not partisan since we are not registered in any political party. However, we only support the government that has the people at heart especially the students and presently, the only one we can talk about as far as Lagos state is concerned, is that of the APC.

What does NANS say to the statement credited to the Oba of Lagos as regards the Igbos voting for Ambode?
Honestly, going by the way the whole drama turned out, I do not think that the Oba of Lagos has any hard feelings towards the Igbos in his kingdom. Besides, majority of them who are traders use his shops at Isale Eko, so why would he have issues with them? The issue has already been ironed out and we are saying that this is more about the place where we reside and make a living than tribal sentiments. Also, we are in the era of democracy and we hope to see a time when a Yoruba man will run and win an election in the eastern part of the country and vice versa.

So, what are the students’ expectations from the incoming Governor?
We cannot wait to have the new governor. With all the things he has reeled out for students in the state, we are definitely hoping to see the best and I am sure that when that time comes, students under the Lagos NANS would be relieved that they made the right choice.