The Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has refuted allegations by former presidential candidate Peter Obi that two students lost their lives during violent clashes at the institutionโs student union elections last Saturday.
Obi, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, claimed the unrest resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries. However, the schoolโs management, in a statement issued Tuesday, dismissed the assertion as “false, misleading, and completely unfounded.”
While confirming that violence disrupted the student union pollsโleaving several students injuredโthe institution clarified that no deaths were recorded.
Eyewitness accounts and viral footage from Sunday showed chaotic scenes, including students climbing school fences amid gunshot sounds, visible smoke suggesting tear gas use, and individuals wielding knives to intimidate others.
Angela Egele, the polytechnicโs Director of Public Relations, emphasised in the statement that security personnel were deployed in sufficient numbers to oversee the election. She urged the public to disregard unverified reports, insisting the school prioritizes student safety and orderly conduct.
โThe 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,โ she said.
Quoting Obiโs post, the statement noted, โI 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 injuredโฆโ
Egele refuted the allegations, stating: โThe Management categorically states that these claims are false, misleading, and completely unfounded.
โFor the avoidance of doubt, no student was shot, injured, or killed during the electoral process, which was subsequently declared inconclusive due to observed irregularities.โ
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 Obiโs statement.
โSubsequently, we urge the general public, stakeholders, and members of the press to disregard this misinformation.
โAuchi Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff.โ
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