The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has denied deploying policemen against Mrs Tracy Ohiri to resolve a disagreement over campaign debt.
The minister described the woman’s claims as inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking coherence—a fact that has been widely noted by members of the public who have followed the matter over time.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, Umahi said the police, acting within their constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and investigate complaints, responded to a petition submitted by his lawyer.
The police subsequently arrested Ohiri and invited the minister in line with standard procedure for statements.
The statement reads, “The Media Office of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has taken note of a video currently being circulated by Omoyele Sowore, in which he attempts to publicly confront and provoke the Minister over a matter already before the appropriate authorities.
“For clarity and public record, the allegations referenced by Mr Sowore were made by Mrs Tracy Ohiri and have been in the public space since last year. These claims, which relate to alleged assault and unpaid campaign materials, have been repeatedly published through social media videos and writings. It is important to state that her accounts have been inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking coherence, a fact that has been widely observed by members of the public who have followed the matter over time.
“Contrary to the misleading narrative being pushed by Sowore, the honourable minister did not deploy the police to settle any personal score. The Nigeria Police Force, acting within its constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and investigate complaints, acted on a petition submitted by the minister’s lawyer, arrested her, and invited the Honourable Minister in line with standard procedure for statements.
“Mr Sowore’s attempt to dramatise this lawful process by staging a public spectacle is a familiar pattern of performative activism aimed at gaining attention rather than seeking truth. The honourable minister, consistent with his character and respect for due process, declined to be drawn into theatrics and calmly disengaged. As it stands, the matter is under police investigation, where facts will determine the outcome.
“Activism, in its true sense, is not about indiscriminate attacks on public office holders or chasing relevance. It is about integrity, balance, and a genuine commitment to justice without prejudice or personal bias. The Honourable Minister of Works remains fully committed to transparency, respect for the rule of law, and the uninterrupted delivery of critical infrastructure for the benefit of Nigerians. He will continue to respect institutional processes and will not be distracted by calculated provocations.”
PUNCH Online reports that in a viral video on Wednesday, Ohiri alleged assault and non-payment of campaign materials by the minister. The video has since circulated repeatedly on social media.
The controversy stems from a viral video circulated on Wednesday showing Sowore confronting Umahi in a public setting over allegations made by Ohiri.
In the video, Sowore was seen attempting to question Umahi regarding claims of assault and the alleged non-payment for campaign materials supplied during past political activities. The encounter appeared tense, with Sowore accusing the minister of using state institutions to intimidate a private citizen.
Umahi, however, declined to engage in a prolonged exchange and walked away from the scene. Sowore subsequently shared the footage on social media platforms, framing the incident as an attempt to demand accountability.
The video has since generated mixed reactions online, with supporters of both men offering contrasting interpretations of the incident while the matter remains under police investigation.
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