NAPS Bans Peter Obi from Polytechnic Campuses Nationwide

The National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS) has declared former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi persona non grata on all polytechnic campuses in Nigeria.

This decision follows Obi’s alleged misrepresentation of the student union election in Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, where he claimed students were shot at and two died. NAPS President Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan stated that Obi’s failure to retract his statement and issue a public apology necessitated the ban.

Oghayan criticized Obi for spreading unverified claims, describing his actions as reckless and manipulative. The NAPS president emphasized the importance of accountability in leadership, noting that Obi’s behavior creates doubt about his integrity as a leader.

The ban includes a mandated distance of not less than 10 kilometers from any student community.

Oghayan also addressed Obi’s claim that Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo barred him from the state, explaining that the governor’s directive was intended for security coordination due to recent events and security intelligence. Reports confirmed that three lives were tragically lost shortly after Obi’s last visit to the state, justifying the need for security measures.

The NAPS president questioned the consistency of Obi’s actions, highlighting his donation to St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital and contrasting it with his campaign slogan of not giving “shishi”. Oghayan suggested this inconsistency might indicate growth or contradiction in Obi’s approach.