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There’s a new shortcut to instant popularity in naija: add Seyi Tinubu’s name onto any wild claim and boom, you’re headline gold – no need for facts, proof, or even a little hint of evidence.

And the biggest cheerleader of this incredibly banal fancy is none other than former Vice President and serial presidential bridesmaid, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar!

This elder statesman, whom you would think ought to have mastered discretion, either on account of the high office he once occupied or his travails from the William Jefferson scandal to the intels affair and the detention and corruption trial of some of his allies and children, obviously has no chill, no filter.

Take the so-called “military parade,” for example, during which Seyi inspected a group of youths in Boy Scouts-like uniforms in Abeokuta. Before you could say, Boy Scout, Atiku, screamed to the world that they were soldiers on a parade, for Seyi. He thought and believed the worst, even at face value, when he just needed to look and he’d see those were only youth volunteers!

Then there was the funny, if not ridiculous, Elizabeth Jack-Rich drama in which scandal-monger Jackson Ude, imitating the former vice president, alleged that Seyi was having an affair with the wife of former presidential aspirant, Tein, only for the family to dismiss it as rubbish. But Jackson and others who aimed to trend on Seyi’s name had cashed out and gotten their trend.

And now, there’s the pièce de résistance: Seyi allegedly masterminding the abduction of a student leader after a ₦100 million bribe was rejected. Again, His Excellency, the former vice president, is leading the Twitterverse battalion to amplify what even the often critical socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has dismissed as “salacious, fallacious, and utterly fabricated.”

At this rate, Seyi Tinubu’s name might as well come with a “trending is guaranteed” stamp. Forget truth or proof. Even forget investigating. Just put Seyi’s name into your story and you enjoy 24 hours of viral fame! Guaranteed.

Mike Ochuko, a social commentator, writes from Asaba via mchuks1990@gmail.com

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Genevieve Nnaji, turned 46 on Saturday, May 3.  The veteran actress celebrated with her close friends and family and shared the photos and video online.  See more photos and video below The post Actress Genevieve Nnaji shares video and photos from her birthday celebration appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of coordinating political interference in student leadership.

According to Olushola Oladoja-led NANS, in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, Ariku and activist-cum-politician, Omoyele Sowore, are sponsoring factionalism within the student body.

“It has come to our attention that certain elements, acting under the influence and sponsorship of former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Mr Omoyele Sowore, are actively involved in sowing seeds of discord within NANS,” the statement read.

The student bodies threatened to mobilise nationwide protests against the accused politician if such meddling continues.

ALSO READ: Call your family to order – Atiku tells Tinubu amid NANS crisis involving Seyi

The development comes on the heels of a recent emergence of a factional NANS President, Atiku Isah, and his allegation of assault and abduction against Seyi, President Bola Tinubu’s son.

Isah claimed that Seyi offered him N100m during a meeting in Lagos to promote Tinubu. He said he declined the offer because he couldn’t endorse a President who had failed to deliver on his campaign promises.

NANS accuses Isah of collecting bribes

But, NANS accused Isah of receiving funds to destabilise the association and falsely claim its presidency.

“We are aware of recent clandestine meetings between Atiku and his cousin, Isah, aimed at infiltrating and destabilising the student movement.”

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“Let it be known that NANS is not and will never be an appendage of any political party or personality,” the statement read.

The student union asked the former President to “call his associates to order or risk being declared persona non grata across Nigerian campuses.”

In the same vein, NAPS President, Eshiofune Paul-Oghayan, described Isah’s claims as “fabricated and politically mischievous.”

ALSO READ: ‘What a lie’: Seyi Tinubu reacts to NANS president’s fresh allegations

Paul-Oghayan described Seyi as “a strategic bridge between Nigerian youths and the state,” and not a political manipulator as alleged.

“Seyi Tinubu has not interfered in student leadership nor directed anyone to act on his behalf. This coordinated attempt to malign his character is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to stand,” the NAPC President said in a statement in Kaduna on Friday.