Peter Obi, former presidential candidate and prominent voice for ethical leadership in Nigeria, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent violence that erupted during the Student Union Government (SUG) elections at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State—a disturbing incident that tragically claimed the lives of two students and left many injured.
In a heartfelt message shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, July 7, Obi went beyond condemning the violence—he held up a mirror to Nigeria’s political class.
“The question is,” he wrote, “where did they learn it from?”
For Obi, the tragedy at Auchi isn’t just about a failed student election—it’s a reflection of what Nigeria’s political elite has normalized: chaos, desperation for power, and utter disregard for due process.
“When we choose to conduct both our public and personal lives with bad behaviour and rascality,” he stated, “we normalise bad behaviour, lawlessness, and criminality.”
Referencing one of the most infamous political soundbites in recent Nigerian history—“fight, snatch it, grab it, and run with it”—Obi argued that young people are simply mimicking the playbook they’ve watched adults in power follow for years.
He described the Auchi Poly incident as “not just disgraceful,” but a national indictment—a moment of collective shame that should force the country to reflect on its values.
“Until we, the leaders, become the moral compass of the society,” Obi continued, “our young people will keep learning the wrong lessons.”
He ended his message with a call to action for the nation’s leadership: to restore civility, order, and a sense of moral responsibility to public life—not just through words, but through example.
For many Nigerians, especially the youth who feel stuck in a cycle of broken promises and broken systems, Obi’s message rings loud and painfully true. As Nigeria grapples with unrest, economic hardship, and distrust in government, voices like Obi’s continue to ask the hard questions—and challenge the nation to do better.
