By Abiola Olawale
The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, has officially broken his silence regarding recent allegations of sexual harassment and unpaid debts.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of infrastructure projects, the Minister dismissed the claims as “mischievous” and purely politically motivated.
The controversy stemmed from allegations made by a businesswoman, Mrs. Tracy Nicholas Ohiri, who claimed the Minister owed her over ₦250 million for campaign materials supplied during the 2015 elections and made unsolicited sexual advances toward her.
Umahi stated that his record as a former Party Chairman, Deputy Governor, and two-term Governor is transparent, asserting he has never owed contractors or individuals.
“Don’t insult your leaders because what a man soweth is what he reaps. People know me very well.
”I was a party chairman, Deputy Governor, and Governor for eight years, and nobody said I harassed anyone,” Umahi said.
“What you read on social media, you know I’m not worried about it.”
“It makes me stronger. I’ve fought many battles, so this is not one.”
Umahi insisted these were machinations of political adversaries and he would be vindicated at the end.
“I know it’s all about politics, and politics has started, but when the right time comes, and the whistle is blown by INEC, we will know what we are made of,” he said.
Umahi argued that such accusations were designed merely to stir conversation online.
“There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘Oh, you are chasing a woman,’” he said. “But if it is Natasha who is accusing me of chasing her, then my face will be bolder.”
He added that any suggestion that a man would pursue someone for 12 years was unrealistic, dismissing the allegation as an attempt to keep social media active.
The minister urged the public to shift focus to more pressing global matters, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including developments in Iran, rather than dwelling on what he characterised as distractions.
