The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi has refuted reports circulating on social media alleging that students were shot and injured during the recently held Students’ Union Government (SUG) election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Angela Egele, and made available to Uptown Press, the school described the claims as “false, misleading, and completely unfounded.”
The rebuttal comes in response to a viral post attributed to former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who claimed that a violent disruption by suspected cultists had led to the deaths of two students and left several others injured during the student election.
“I watched the heart-breaking 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,” Obi was quoted as saying.
However, the Polytechnic’s management has insisted that no such incident occurred. “The attention of the Management of Auchi Polytechnic has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr Peter Obi… The Management categorically states that these claims are false,” the statement read.
According to Egele, the electoral process was declared inconclusive not due to violence or casualties, but because of irregularities that were observed during the vote.
She further clarified that the institution took adequate security measures during the SUG election, with multiple security agencies on ground, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mobile Police (MOPOL), and local vigilante operatives.
“We urge the general public, stakeholders, and members of the press to disregard this misinformation by Mr. Peter Obi. Auchi Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff,” the statement explained.
The institution is expected to announce a new date for the continuation of the electoral process.
