Umahi – Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, has firmly rejected claims of s£xual harassment made against him by a businesswoman identified as Tracyniter Nicholas Ohiri .
The minister addressed the accusations during an interaction with journalists on Saturday, February 28, 2026, while inspecting road projects.
Umahi emphasized that he has never harassed anyone throughout his public service career. He highlighted his record of overseeing both male and female staff without any prior complaints of misconduct.
He stated that he does not owe anyone money and has maintained a clean record in leadership positions. He pointed out his eight-year tenure as governor of Ebonyi State, during which he delivered significant infrastructure projects, and asserted that unfounded accusations would only come from those acting mischievously.
The minister described the allegation of pursuing a woman as not inherently problematic in itself. He remarked that if the claim came from a prominent figure like Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, he would respond more directly, but he dismissed the current accuser’s credibility in making such a charge against him after many years.
Umahi characterized the entire matter as a social media-driven controversy and encouraged the public to shift focus to more pressing global issues. He suggested turning attention to conflicts such as the war in Iran and allowing him to continue his work without distraction.
Background of the Controversy
The allegations surfaced in late February 2026 amid a long-standing financial dispute between Umahi and Ohiri. The businesswoman claimed that Umahi owes her a substantial sum, reported in various accounts as between N200 million and N304 million, for promotional materials and services she allegedly supplied during his 2014 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State.
Ohiri further alleged that Umahi made repeated s£xual advances toward her, including an incident where he reportedly entered her hotel room in Ebonyi wearing only a towel during a business discussion.
She accused him of withholding payment after she rejected those advances, leading to intimidation, threats, and her eventual arrest and arraignment on defamation charges in a magistrate court in Abuja.
The case escalated when human rights activist Omoyele Sowore confronted authorities at the FCT Police Command on February 25, 2026, drawing wider attention.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly condemned any alleged intimidation in the matter and called for dialogue and adherence to the rule of law.
Umahi has maintained that the claims are baseless, politically motivated distractions, and that the financial issue is already before the courts.
Who is Dave Umahi?
David Nweze Umahi, commonly known as Dave Umahi, was born on July 25, 1963, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria (then part of the Eastern Region).
He is the son of Elder Joseph Umahi Nwaze and Margaret Umahi from Umunaga community in Uburu. Umahi attended Ishiagu High School and Government Secondary School in Afikpo for his early education.
He later graduated from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering . Before entering politics, Umahi built a successful career in the private sector. In 1990, he co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited.
He also served as chairman and CEO of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited and held leadership roles in other construction firms, including stints with companies like Saipem and SCC Nigeria Limited. He resigned from his private business positions in March 2011 to focus on public office. Umahi began his political journey with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as Acting Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter.
He was elected Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State in 2011 under Governor Martin Elechi. In 2015, he won the governorship election on the PDP platform and was re-elected in 2019 for a second term, serving from 2015 to 2023.
During his governorship, Umahi focused on infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and urban renewal projects in Ebonyi State.
In late 2020, he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming a key figure in expanding the party’s influence in the southeast region.
In 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Umahi as the Minister of Works, a position he holds as of 2026. In this role, he oversees major federal road projects, including ongoing rehabilitation and construction across Nigeria, and controls one of the largest ministerial budgets. Umahi has been recognized with the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
He is married and has children, and he remains an influential voice in Nigerian politics, particularly in the southeast. His career has been marked by engineering expertise, infrastructure advocacy, and party-switching that has drawn both support and criticism.
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Nothing is wrong with chasing a woman, but EVERYTHING is wrong if you use FORCE, INTIMIDATION, COARSE, YOUR CONNECTION, YOUR OFFICE, POLICE, DSS, THAT IS ABUSE OF POWER AND POSITION.
If that is done to your sister or daughter, will send a congratulatory card to that man?
If Umahi was sincere he would have paid all the money, as a governor, he has the money bcos of the weaknesses that is why he is stressing her