In a dramatic development that could reshape political engagement with Nigerian students, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has declared Mr. Peter Obi, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, persona non grata across all polytechnic campuses nationwide.
The decision, announced on Monday by Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, NAPS’ President, follows Obi’s alleged misrepresentation of a student union election incident at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, which the student body says he failed to verify or apologize for.
“This is not vengeance. It is a call for accountability,” Oghayan said at a press conference in Abuja. “Leadership cannot preach what it refuses to practice.”
Peter Obi had earlier released a widely circulated statement claiming:
“I watched a heartbreaking video that showed students in Auchi Polytechnic… being shot at during their student election… two students dead and several injured.”
NAPS says this statement is factually inaccurate, describing it as reckless and misleading, especially as it was never verified. According to Oghayan, no deaths occurred, and Obi’s comments only escalated tensions.
Despite calls from the student body to retract the statement and apologise, Obi remained silent, further fueling distrust.
“The same man who built his campaign on ‘go and verify’ failed to verify before peddling unsubstantiated claims,” Oghayan said. “That is not leadership; it is manipulation.”
In response, NAPS officially barred Peter Obi from all its affiliated institutions across the country:
“By the moral authority and constitutional responsibility vested in me, I declare Mr. Obi persona non grata on all polytechnic campuses, with a mandated 10-kilometre distance from any student community.”
The student body also addressed Obi’s claim that Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo had barred him from the state. NAPS defended the governor’s position, citing security intelligence and a record of unrest following Obi’s last visit, during which three people reportedly died.
While acknowledging Obi’s recent ₦15 million donation to St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital as generous, Oghayan questioned the consistency with his campaign slogan, “I don’t give shishi.”
“Is this growth or contradiction?” Oghayan asked, suggesting that donations to sensitive institutions should be done discreetly, with security consultation, to avoid exposing such sites to risk.
The move by NAPS signals a new era of student activism and demand for accountability from political leaders—regardless of popularity. The association insists its stance is rooted in principle, not partisanship.
“Influence must not become an avenue for institutional interference,” Oghayan concluded.
With Nigeria’s youth representing a large portion of the electorate, this development could have lasting implications for political figures who seek their support but fall short of their expectations for truth, integrity, and responsibility.