Umahi Fires Back At Sowore Over Viral FCT Police Drama, Denies Any Intimidation

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has addressed a viral video circulated by activist Omoyele Sowore concerning an encounter at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command headquarters.

According to Ireporter Online, the minister’s response was conveyed in a statement dated February 25, 2026, and signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze. The statement described the footage shared by Sowore as an attempt to publicly confront and provoke the minister over issues already under investigation by law enforcement authorities.

The minister’s media office explained that the allegations referenced in the video were initially made by Mrs. Tracy Ohiri and have been circulating in the public space since the previous year. The claims reportedly border on allegations of assault and outstanding payments for campaign-related materials, which, the statement noted, have repeatedly surfaced through various social media posts and online videos.

The statement further characterised the accusations as inconsistent and contradictory, asserting that observers who had closely followed developments over time would have identified notable discrepancies in the narrative.

Reacting to suggestions that the minister influenced law enforcement agencies to pursue personal interests, the statement firmly dismissed such claims. It maintained that the Nigeria Police Force acted strictly within its constitutional responsibilities following a petition submitted by the minister’s legal counsel.

According to the statement, the petition reportedly led to the arrest of the complainant, while the minister himself was invited by the police to provide a statement as part of routine investigative procedures. The matter, it added, remains under active investigation, with authorities expected to determine the facts and appropriate course of action.

The minister’s aide accused Sowore of attempting to dramatise what it described as a lawful and procedural investigation, alleging that the confrontation formed part of a broader pattern of performative activism intended to attract public attention rather than clarify the facts.

The statement emphasised that Umahi chose not to engage in what it termed theatrics, opting instead to disengage calmly from the situation. It reaffirmed the minister’s commitment to transparency, due process and adherence to the rule of law, while stressing that he would not allow the controversy to distract him from his official responsibilities, particularly the execution of key infrastructure projects nationwide.