Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation to Niger State Governor Umar Bago, Musa Muhammad, popularly known as Historian, has reportedly assaulted the outgoing National President of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS), Muhammad Isah Bashi.
The incident reportedly occurred during the association’s national convention held over the weekend in Minna, the Niger State capital.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters, the altercation began after a female delegate was allegedly threatened and harassed while attempting to cast her vote.
Bashi, who intervened to protect her, was reportedly slapped by the governor’s aide in the ensuing confrontation.
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An eyewitness said, “Musa slapped Bashi when Bashi stepped in to protect a female student who was threatened and harassed by Musa while she wanted to cast her vote.”
It was learnt that before the assault, Musa confronted Bashi directly, reportedly threatening to strike him before delivering a slap.
Another source explained, “Historian allegedly told Bashi, ‘I will slap you also,’ before striking him.”
The confrontation highlighted the tensions between elected student leaders and government-appointed stakeholders within the Students Directorates.
Sources said the stakeholders, including Musa Muhammad, Comrade Anas Aliyu (SSA Students Affairs Zone C), Comrade Yazeed Muhammad Aliyu (SSA Zone B Students Affairs), and Bello Barau Shariff (Director General Students Affairs), have reportedly continued to interfere in NANISS affairs, including collecting money from aspirants and influencing election outcomes.
The convention, which took place at Gidan Matasa in Minna between Saturday and Sunday, was also marked by attempts from the stakeholders to promote candidates of their choice.
Sources reported that these efforts clashed with the preferences of the broader student body, leading to disputes on the convention floor.
Sources said Bashi’s administration had faced repeated interference from these stakeholders throughout his tenure, including attempts to delay or block the release of bursary funds to students.
A source also told SaharaReporters, “They stood to ensure that his administration did not see to the release of this bursary and forced the Senate to call for convention just to see that Bashi was gone.”
Despite attempts to disrupt the process and influence the outcome, students reportedly elected a representative from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, an indigene of Borgu in Niger State, over Mubarak Gambo of Kwara State College of Health.
Gambo is the candidate reportedly backed by the prominent stakeholders.
Sources said clashes during the convention involved physical confrontations and threats, which disrupted voting and heightened tensions among delegates.
A source familiar with student unionism in the state told SaharaReporters that former NANISS members, including Comrade Abugi, Comrade Anache, and Comrade Yahya Muhammad Sani, had previously left the association without claiming entitlements, in contrast to current stakeholders whose actions continue to draw criticism from students and alumni.
Earlier, in August, SaharaReporters reported that NANISS had announced plans for a mass protest over the prolonged neglect of the education sector and non-payment of student scholarships by the state government.
Despite multiple peaceful engagements, including meetings with lawmakers and traditional leaders, the students reported receiving no positive response.
As a result, NANISS issued a seven-day ultimatum, threatening a peaceful mass protest if their demands were not addressed.
