Peter Obi condemns Auchi Poly election violence, blames leaders for setting bad example for youth.
Says society’s moral failure is reflected in student chaos, calls it a national indictment.
Labour Party leader and former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the violent chaos that erupted during a student union election at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State. The tragic incident, which occurred on Sunday, reportedly led to the death of two students and left several others injured as gunshots disrupted the exercise.
A disturbing video from the scene, now circulating widely on social media, shows terrified students fleeing as gunfire echoed across the school premises. In reaction to the video, Obi issued a heartfelt statement condemning the violence and drawing a connection between youth misconduct and the failure of Nigeria’s leadership to model responsible behavior.
“The society we abuse today will eventually take its toll on our children,” Obi wrote in a post shared online. “When we choose to conduct our public and personal lives with bad behavior and rascality, we normalize criminality.”
Obi argued that the younger generation is only reflecting what they see from the country’s leaders. He referenced a notorious political mantra “fight, snatch it, grab it, and run with it” often associated with Nigeria’s compromised election culture, questioning the kind of legacy being passed down.
“Are they cursed, or are we the political leaders the ones who are cursed?” he asked. “Our children are only imitating the examples we have set.”
He described the violent episode as more than just a campus tragedy, calling it a “national indictment” that highlights the urgent need to reform both political and societal values. Obi urged public officeholders and influencers to take responsibility for the moral climate they help shape and to lead by example.
“This is a wake-up call,” he said. “We must do better for our students, for our children, and for our country. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
Obi’s statement has since drawn reactions online, with many Nigerians echoing his sentiments about the breakdown of discipline and civility in public life and its impact on the youth. The authorities at Auchi Polytechnic are yet to release an official statement on the incident.
