Umahi Denies Deploying Police to Settle Campaign Debt Dispute

The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has refuted allegations that he deployed police officers to arrest Mrs Tracy Ohiri over a disagreement concerning campaign debt.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister described the woman’s claims as inconsistent and lacking coherence, noting that members of the public who have followed the matter have observed these contradictions.

According to the statement, the police acted on a petition submitted by the minister’s lawyer, as part of their constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order and investigate complaints. The police subsequently arrested Ohiri and invited the minister for questioning in line with standard procedure.

The statement read: “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.”

The minister’s office described Sowore’s public confrontation as “performative activism” aimed at gaining attention rather than seeking truth. Umahi reportedly declined to engage in what his office termed “theatrics” and calmly walked away from the scene.

The controversy stems from a viral video circulated on Wednesday showing Sowore confronting Umahi in a public setting over allegations made by Ohiri regarding assault and non-payment for campaign materials supplied during past political activities.

The statement further emphasised that the matter is now under police investigation, where facts will determine the outcome. Umahi reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, respect for the rule of law, and uninterrupted delivery of infrastructure projects, stating he would not be distracted by “calculated provocations.”

The video has generated mixed reactions online, with contrasting interpretations from supporters of both parties while the police investigation continues.