The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has spoken out against Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his recent online post claiming that students were killed at Auchi Polytechnic.

NAPS President, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He said that Obi’s claims on social media were false and misleading.

He stated clearly that no student died. He admitted that a few students had minor issues due to teargas, but no one had to go to the hospital.

He challenged Obi to bring out names, photos, or families of the supposed dead students. If he couldn’t do that, then the story was clearly made up for political reasons.

The NAPS president accused Obi of not practicing what he preaches. He said Obi often tells Nigerians to verify information, yet failed to do so himself. According to NAPS, using fake stories to attack the government is wrong and dishonest.

NAPS also warned Obi not to turn Auchi Polytechnic into a tool for politics. They accused him of twisting facts, staying silent when proven wrong, and refusing to correct false statements, all of which they say show a lack of integrity.

Because of this, NAPS demanded that Obi apologize publicly to students all over Nigeria, especially those at Auchi Polytechnic. They want the apology printed on the front pages of at least four national newspapers within three days.

If Obi refuses, NAPS said students will organize peaceful protests. These will include picketing his known offices and launching a global campaign to fight fake news from powerful people.

Finally, NAPS called for an investigation into the role of the institution’s Chief Security Officer during the recent student union elections. They also asked for a review of security partnerships on campus, punishment for officers who failed in their duties, and justice for students who were injured.