Auch Poly election tragedy: Obi faults ‘fight, snatch it,grab it, run with it’ mentality in politics

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the violent incident that occurred during the students union election at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State.

Obi regretted that such violent behaviour from our youths is stemming from the endemic culture of lawlessness, flawed electoral processes they have learnt from thier leaders who popularise ‘fight, snatch it, grab it, and run with it,’ mentality in politics.

According to a video clip making the rounds, violent occurred during the students union election at the Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, where two students were killed and several others injured.

The video highlighted how students were fleeing for their lives as gunshots rang out during the election which has sparked widespread outrage.

In an emotional laden statement, Obi lamented that Nigerian children are learning violent behavior from their leaders, questioning the moral foundation that current leaders are passing on to the younger generation.

Such attitude he said is nothing short of poor examples set by Nigeria’s political leadership citing the infamous quote, “fight, snatch it, grab it, and run with it.”

Obi said, “The society we abuse today will eventually take its toll on our children,” he went on to day, “When we choose to conduct our public and personal lives with bad behaviour and rascality, we normalize criminality.

“Are they cursed, or are we—the political leaders—the ones who are cursed?” he asked rhetorically. “Our children are only imitating the examples we have set.”

The Labour Party presidential candidate called such incident not just a tragedy but a “national indictment,” stressed the urgent need for political and societal reform.

Obi urged leaders to reflect on their actions and take responsibility for restoring civility, integrity, and democratic values in the country.

“We must do better—for our students, for our children, and for our country. A New Nigeria is Possible,” he concluded.