AUCHI POLYTECHNIC SUG CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK DURING STUDENTS' UNION ELECTION, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION, POSSIBLE ONLINE VOTING

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The President of the Student Union Government (SUG) at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Arua Onyedikachi, has strongly condemned the violent attack that marred the institution’s student union election on Saturday, leaving several students injured and the electoral process disrupted.

Speaking on Monday, Onyedikachi described the incident as an “unacceptable and uncivilised act” that threatens the democratic values and peace upheld by students of the institution. He called on security agencies to launch a full investigation into the attack and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

According to reports gathered, the election turned chaotic when suspected local thugs, allegedly supporting a particular candidate, stormed the voting venue. A viral video circulating on Sunday showed students scaling the school’s fence as gunshots rang out in the background, with smoke likely from tear gas seen rising from the scene. Eyewitnesses also reported that assailants brandished knives to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process.

A student who requested anonymity confirmed that the election had proceeded peacefully until the disruption. “It was going on smoothly until those boys forced their way into the arena and scattered everything,” the student said.

The SUG President expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that students had come out in large numbers to vote due to the success and peaceful conduct of last year’s election. He stressed that the violence was not initiated by students, nor were they involved in the snatching of ballot boxes.

“I don’t know how they knew their candidate would not win,” Onyedikachi stated. “They forced themselves into the voting arena, and that was when they destroyed the ballot boxes and the election became inconclusive.”

Onyedikachi emphasized that a fresh date for the election will not be set until investigations are concluded and the perpetrators are held accountable. He warned that any repeat of such violence could escalate into something even more dangerous.

“We cannot hold an election without getting to the root of the matter. It may be more brutal than the previous one,” he said. “If security does the needful and the boys are brought to book, we will meet with the school management to propose an online voting system to ensure the safety of students.”

The SUG President further assured students that the management of Auchi Polytechnic is already conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. He reaffirmed the student leadership’s commitment to protecting students’ rights and amplifying their voices.

He urged all students to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as the investigation continues.