Federal Polytechnic Auchi Denies Student Deaths Claimed by Peter Obi
Federal Polytechnic Auchi has strongly refuted claims by former presidential candidate Peter Obi that two students died during campus violence last Saturday. The institution’s management called Obi’s allegations “false and completely unfounded.”
Obi had posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account alleging that chaos erupted during the students’ union election, resulting in two student fatalities. The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate claimed the violence disrupted the democratic process on campus.
However, polytechnic officials swiftly dismissed these assertions, challenging the accuracy of Obi’s social media statement. The management has not provided specific details about what actually occurred during the election or whether any injuries were sustained.
The dispute highlights growing tensions around student union activities at Nigerian tertiary institutions. Campus elections often generate heated competition among student groups, sometimes leading to security concerns.
Neither Obi nor the polytechnic management has presented evidence to support their conflicting accounts of Saturday’s events. The former Anambra State governor has not responded to the institution’s rebuttal of his claims.
Student union elections across Nigeria frequently face disruptions, though fatalities remain relatively uncommon. The Federal Polytechnic Auchi serves thousands of students in Edo State and ranks among the country’s prominent technical education institutions.
The controversy underscores the importance of verified information when reporting on sensitive campus incidents involving student safety.
