National Association of Polytechnic Students Bar Peter Obi from All Poly Campuses Nationwide
Polytechnic students have banned Peter Obi from campuses over false claims about Auchi election violence.
They say he refused to apologize after spreading unverified news that caused public confusion.
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has declared former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, unwelcome in all polytechnic campuses across Nigeria.
This decision was announced by NAPS President, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. The students accused Obi of spreading false claims about a recent student union election held at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State and failing to retract or apologize after being called out.
Oghayan said Obi had misled the public by posting online that two students were killed and others injured during the election. According to him, Obi’s comment lacked verification and created a false impression about what transpired.
“In a widely circulated statement, he claimed: ‘I watched a 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 two students dead and several injured,’” Oghayan quoted.
Describing the post as false and irresponsible, the NAPS president said Obi not only misrepresented the incident but also compared student unrest to political violence, implying students were copying politicians who “snatch, grab and run with it.”
Oghayan added, “We held a press conference and demanded he retract his statement and issue a public apology, especially to the students of Auchi Polytechnic. But he has remained silent.”
He criticized Obi for building a campaign around the phrase “go and verify,” yet failing to verify facts before making public claims.
“As President of NAPS, I hereby declare Mr. Peter Obi as persona non grata in all Nigerian polytechnic campuses. He must stay at least 10 kilometers away from any student environment nationwide,” Oghayan announced.
He stressed that this was not an act of revenge but a stand for accountability, stating that a true leader must uphold the values they preach.
Oghayan also addressed Obi’s earlier claim that Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo had barred him from entering the state, stating that the governor’s action was based on security concerns not political exclusion.
“If a high-profile visit is followed by reports of unrest and casualties as was the case after Mr. Obi’s last trip to the state then security coordination is necessary,” he said.
The student leader acknowledged Obi’s recent N15 million donation to St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital in Benin City but questioned the consistency with his previous slogan, “I don’t give shishi.”
“Is this generosity a sign of growth or a contradiction to his former ideals?” Oghayan asked.
He concluded by calling on all public figures to exercise responsibility, especially when addressing young people or student communities.
