MY LONG YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, A TESTIMONY.... SAYS UMAHI .... Describes Allegations Of Indebtedness As Mischievous

Senator David Nweze Umahi CON 

..... Says "Distractions will not divert attention from national responsibility."

“But I think we can turn in our attention to the war in Iran now and then allow David Umahi to focus on his job.”

Nigeria's Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Saturday addressed allegations circulating on social media by one TracyNither Ohiri.

The Minister made known his position concerning the allegations during an inspection tour of major infrastructure projects in the South East.

Umahi, in unequivocal terms, rejected the claims, pointing to his long record in public service and leadership.

“I want to thank a lot of you who know me very well. As party chairman, I owed nobody and of course I presided over both men and women, and nobody ever said I harassed him/her or I owed him/her.”

Reflecting on his years in executive office, he added that, “I was deputy governor, governor for eight years, and I did fantastic in infrastructure. So nobody could come and say he is been owed unless the person is being a mischievous.”

Addressing the online spread of the claims, the Minister showed neither anger nor defensiveness, describing such moments as familiar territory in public office.

“So what you read in social media, I am not worried about it. It makes me stronger, and I have fought many battles, so this is nothing.”

In a lighter moment that drew laughter from those present, Umahi used humour to underline what he described as the implausibility of the allegations.

“There’s nothing wrong to say, oh, you, are chasing a woman but not anyhow person that will accuse this handsome man of chasing her for twelve years. That person must be the Queen of England. So, it’s just to make social media to be alive.”

Beneath the humour, however, the message was clear: distractions will not divert his attention from national responsibility.

“But I think we can turn in our attention to the war in Iran now and then allow David Umahi to focus on his job.”

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media) and made available to journalists in Abuja.