The management of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, has strongly refuted claims made by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, concerning alleged student deaths during an election held at the institution.
Obi, in a recent post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, referenced purported incidents of student fatalities during an election at Auchi Polytechnic, a claim that has sparked outrage and prompted immediate clarification from the school authorities.
However, the Polytechnic’s management, in a swift reaction issued on Tuesday, categorically denied the assertion, labeling it false and misleading. According to the statement, no student lost their life in the course of the election exercise, contrary to Obi’s narrative.
“We were shocked to read such a baseless claim from a highly respected national figure like Mr. Peter Obi. Let it be on record that no life was lost during any election at Auchi Polytechnic. Our students are safe, and academic and administrative activities continue unhindered,” the management stated.
The school further urged political figures and the general public to verify information before making public statements that could potentially incite fear or panic among students and their families.
The management’s rebuttal has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with supporters of both sides engaging in heated debates. While some netizens have called for Obi to retract his statement and apologize, others insist the former governor of Anambra State may have been misinformed and was simply expressing concern.
At the time of this report, Mr. Peter Obi has not issued a follow-up statement addressing the Polytechnic’s rebuttal.
The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding electoral issues in Nigerian tertiary institutions and the need for accuracy in public discourse.