By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Students’ Union Governments (SUGs) across tertiary institutions in Ogun State have rallied behind the Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Student Matters, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez, rejecting allegations of palliatives diversion as unfounded and misleading.

In a jointly signed statement issued over the weekend, the student leaders distanced themselves from comments earlier attributed to the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Comrade Francis Abiola, which alleged that Azeez diverted student palliatives.

The statement was endorsed by Comrade Zinsu Gbohunmi, Deputy Chairman of NANS (Ogun Axis); Senator Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji, SUG President, Olabisi Onabanjo University; Senator Temitope Afolabi, SUG President, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic; and Comrade Ilo Fadilu Temitope, SUG President, Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), among others.

Other signatories include SUG presidents from the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology; Federal College of Education, Osiele; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Tai Solarin University of Education; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo.

The union presidents expressed confidence in Azeez’s commitment to student welfare, describing him as a consistent advocate ensuring that government policies remain student-focused.

“We, the undersigned Presidents of Students’ Unions across tertiary institutions in Ogun State, unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the misleading statement recently issued and attributed to ‘NANS Ogun executives,’” they said.

They noted that the circulating document did not originate from them and did not reflect their position, adding that the unauthorized use of their names and offices was inappropriate and misleading.

“We hereby debunk the entirety of the statement as false and not representative of our views. We advise those responsible to desist from further misrepresentation,” the statement added.

The student leaders also said their independent checks did not support the claims in circulation, urging the public and stakeholders to disregard the allegations.

Reaffirming their neutrality and dedication to student interests, the union presidents reiterated their support for Azeez and his continued engagement with the student community.