The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest, Zone D, has issued a strong election-day notice to all student structures in Osun State, urging peaceful participation and respect for established student leadership as the state goes to the polls today.

In a statement signed by the Zone D Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode (Billioncodes), NANS noted that students constitute a major force in the election, with 752,800 registered student voters. This figure represents approximately 32.2 per cent of the total electorate and makes students the largest occupational category of registered voters in Osun State.

The coordinator described the number as a significant achievement resulting from months of sensitization, PVC advocacy, campus engagement and political awareness campaigns across tertiary institutions in the state.

He appreciated the Joint Campus Committee (JCC) leadership, Students’ Union Government presidents, sister bodies including NAPS, NFSAN, NAUS and NANCES, as well as all legitimate student mobilization teams that contributed to the exercise.

While acknowledging that political interests may differ and individual voting choices remain personal, the statement warned against any attempt to create parallel student leadership or falsely claim to speak for the collective student constituency without proper consultation with recognized structures.

“We will cooperate with everyone who respects the independence and established leadership of the student movement, but we will firmly reject any attempt to misrepresent, divide or impersonate the collective voice of our constituency,” the statement read.

NANS further appealed to students to participate peacefully, remain vigilant, comply with lawful electoral procedures, and promptly report any genuine cases of intimidation, security threats or irregularities through the established communication channels set up for the election.

The association emphasized that the numerical strength of students should not be used as an excuse for violence or confrontation. Instead, it should serve as a reminder that the Nigerian student constituency is informed, organized and fully conscious of its responsibility.

“Whatever happens today, the message is already unmistakable: Nigerian students are no longer spectators in determining the leadership and future of Osun State. We are stakeholders, and our voice matters,” the statement concluded.