The management of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has dismissed claims made by former presidential candidate Peter Obi that two students died during a violent clash that disrupted the institution’s student union election last Saturday.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the school described Obi’s comments as false, misleading, and completely unfounded.
Obi had taken to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, alleging that two students were killed and several injured when gunshots were fired during the election. He referenced a viral video showing students fleeing while gunfire rang out, smoke filled the air, and youths chased others with knives.
“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… which left 2 students dead and several injured,” Obi wrote.
However, the school’s Director of Public Relations, Angela Egele, said no student died or was injured in the incident. She stated that the election was monitored by security personnel from multiple agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, DSS, Mobile Police, and local vigilantes.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no student was shot, injured, or killed during the electoral process, which was declared inconclusive due to observed irregularities,” she said.
Egele urged the public and media to disregard Obi’s statement and rely on verified information.
“Auchi Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff,” the statement concluded.
The student union elections at Auchi Poly had been marred by violence, but school authorities maintain that despite the chaos, no lives were lost.