The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has dismissed claims by former presidential candidate Peter Obi that two students died during the violence that marred the institution’s student union election last Saturday.
Obi, in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter), had alleged that the election chaos led to the death of two students and left several others injured.
But the polytechnic, in a statement on Tuesday, described the claim as false, misleading and completely unfounded.
Several students were injured after violence erupted during the student union government elections.
Recall, in a viral video on Sunday, students were seen scaling the school’s fence while gunshots rang out in the background.
Smoke was also visible at the venue, suggesting the use of tear gas, while some youths brandished knives to chase students away.
Reacting to Obi’s claims in a statement, the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Angela Egele, said adequate security operatives were on ground during the exercise.
“The attention of the management of Auchi Polytechnic has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr. Peter Obi, wherein he alleged that the recently held Student Union Government (SUG) elections at the institution resulted in the death of two students and injuries to several others due to gunfire,” she said.
Quoting Obi’s post, the statement noted, “I watched the heartbreaking video that showed students in Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State running for their lives as they WERE BEING SHOT AT during their student election yesterday, which left 2 students dead and several injured…”
Egele refuted the allegations, stating: “The Management categorically states that these claims are false, misleading, and completely unfounded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no student was shot, injured, or killed during the electoral process, which was subsequently declared inconclusive due to observed irregularities.”
She added that multiple security agencies monitored the election, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, State Security Service, Mobile Police and the local vigilante group.
The institution urged the public to disregard Obi’s statement.
“Subsequently, we urge the general public, stakeholders, and members of the press to disregard this misinformation.
