₦airaland Forum

Nigerian students, under the aegis of the National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS), have barred the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, from their campuses nationwide.

The students said their decision was informed by Obi’s failure to retract his alleged misrepresentation of what occurred during a recent student union election in Auchi Polytechnics in Edo State.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, NAPS’ president, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, said Obi’s failure to retract his alleged misleading claim creates doubt about his integrity as a leader.

Oghayan said, “Even more concerning is the pattern emerging from his actions. Mr. Obi, without due verification, recently misled the public with false information regarding the student union government (SUG) elections in Auchi Polytechnics.

“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 noted that the said statement by Obi was not only false, but it was also reckless, adding that Obi went further to draw comparisons between the actions of students and those of political leaders, implying that student unrest was a result of ‘leaders, who have chosen to fight, snatch, grab and run with it.’

The students’ leader said, “We, as the direct custodians of student welfare, held a press conference and called on Mr. Obi to retract the statement and issue a public apology, especially to the student community of Auchi Polytechnic.

“Yet, he remained silent. The same man who built his campaign around ‘go and verify’ failed to verify before peddling unsubstantiated claims. That is not leadership; it is manipulation.


He further clarified, “The first truth is this: Governor Okpebholo did not bar Mr Obi from entering Edo State.

He emphasised a need for preemptive security coordination, a requirement not borne out of bias but of responsible governance.

“When a figure of Peter Obi’s stature visits a state, it is not just a movement but a magnet. And magnets attract more than metals; they attract crowds, expectations, risks, and sometimes, chaos. Indeed,

“Let the records show: security clearance for high-profile visits is standard protocol in modern governance. In 2020, Governor Sanwo-Olu called for restraint and order after the EndSARS protests. In 2019, Governor El-Rufai urged foreign observers to seek clearance before entering volatile regions of the state. This is not political gatekeeping; it is administrative foresight.

He faulted Obi’s claim that Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, barred him from the state, arguing that the governor’s directive was only intended for security coordination, which is a standard practice.

Oghayan said, “Governor Okpebholo may have spoken with bluntness, but his concern was rooted in security intelligence and recent events.

“If any high-profile visit carries a track record of civil unrest and casualties, then a call for security coordination is not just justified – it is essential.

“Indeed, reports confirmed that three lives were tragically lost shortly after Mr Obi’s last visit to the state. In light of such unrest, what responsible governor would fold his arms and play passive?

“It is commendable that Mr. Obi made a N15million donation to St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital. Generosity towards health and humanitarian causes is noble and worthy of note.

“This is the same Mr. Obi, who famously declared during his campaign that ‘he doesn’t give shishi,’ a slogan that became both a mantra and identity of his political movement.

“But today, we see him making high-profile donations in public glare. Is this growth or contradiction?

“Furthermore, when public donations are made to churches, hospitals, or other faith-based institutions, they must be approached with strategic discretion and in consultation with relevant security authorities.

“Otherwise, such noble institutions may become unintended targets of violence – as evidenced by the chaos that followed his recent visit,” Oghayan said.

“Having failed to retract his false statement and refusing to issue a public apology to the student community in Auchi Polytechnic and the nation at large, we are left with no choice.

“By the moral authority and Constitutional responsibility vested in the office of the President of NAPS, I, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, hereby declare Mr. Peter Obi as persona non grata on all campuses of our institutions across the country, with a mandated distance of not less than 10 kilometres from any student community.

“This is not vengeance. It is a call for accountability. Leadership cannot preach what it refuses to practice. Influence must not become an avenue for institutional interference,” Oghayan.

“Yet, he remained silent. The same man who built his campaign around ‘go and verify’ failed to verify before peddling unsubstantiated claims. That is not leadership; it is manipulation.

“This is the same Mr. Obi, who famously declared during his campaign that ‘he doesn’t give shishi,’ a slogan that became both a mantra and identity of his political movement.

“But today, we see him making high-profile donations in public glare. Is this growth or contradiction?

“By the moral authority and Constitutional responsibility vested in the office of the President of NAPS, I, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, hereby declare Mr. Peter Obi as persona non grata on all campuses of our institutions across the country, with a mandated distance of not less than 10 kilometres from any student community.

fuckingAyaya:
Which faction of NAPs is this one? Maybe the fake accountant is speaker through them. Y'all remember how they intimidated and bullied the authentic president of NANS with federal might to succumb to their evil bidding or get ousted

SeeWahala:
My brother's son is a member (top) of this same organization and immediately I saw this news and asked him if he's aware of anything like this he immediately debunked it saying they have never ever held any meetings recently with their central union. And even if they did he was never aware. And even if he was aware THEY WOULD NEVER AGREE TO SUCH A WHIMSICAL AGREEMENT AS THIS WHICH OUR RESIDENT APC E-THUGS WANT TO USE TO CLAIM POLITICAL POINTS TODAY hehehe 😂🤣

SeeWahala:
It's fake news bro. There was no meeting of naps members at all this past one month unless this is something that happened over 2 months ago and they are only releasing it to the public today

fuckingAyaya:
lagos ibadan Express media propaganda?

TimeManager:
I haven't seen where a former Governor and Presidential candidate treated this low. Unfortunately, Peter Obi brought this on himself. Students no send you, dey go change level for you.

-Kiss the truth!

SeeWahala:
My brother's son is a member (top) of this same organization and immediately I saw this news and asked him if he's aware of anything like this he immediately debunked it saying they have never ever held any meetings recently with their central union. And even if they did he was never aware. And even if he was aware THEY WOULD NEVER AGREE TO SUCH A WHIMSICAL AGREEMENT AS THIS WHICH OUR RESIDENT APC E-THUGS WANT TO USE TO CLAIM POLITICAL POINTS TODAY hehehe 😂🤣

Factcheck0001:
even u yourself know this is a lie n it's obvious.

Y do u people keep lieing to yourselves, when reality hits u hard u will start blaming Tinubu

SeeWahala:
Hahaha 🤣😂 oh my Goodness

These people won't kee us with their hate for Peter Obi oooo

Pakute:
https://leadership.ng/naps-bars-obi-from-polytechnic-campuses/