Umahi Narrates His Side of Encounter With Sowore at Police Station

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given his own account of the circumstances surrounding a viral confrontation with human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Abuja. The encounter, which occurred on Tuesday, quickly gained traction on social media after Sowore shared a video portraying what he described as an attempt to intimidate a complainant and silence public scrutiny.

In a statement issued on February 25, 2026, and signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the Minister rejected the narrative circulating online, insisting that the video was deliberately framed to provoke public outrage and misrepresent an ongoing legal process. According to the statement, Sowore’s actions at the police station amounted to a calculated attempt to publicly confront and provoke the minister over a matter that is already under investigation by relevant authorities.

The statement explained that the allegations referenced in the viral video were not new. They were reportedly made by one Mrs. Tracy Ohiri and have been in the public domain since last year. These allegations include claims of assault and the non-payment for campaign materials allegedly supplied during a previous political engagement involving the minister. Umahi’s media office noted that the claims have resurfaced repeatedly through social media posts and videos, often accompanied by shifting narratives.

According to the minister’s camp, the allegations have been inconsistent and, at times, contradictory, a fact they argue has been widely observed by members of the public who have followed the issue closely over time. The statement stressed that these inconsistencies are a key reason the matter was referred to law enforcement for proper investigation rather than being litigated in the court of public opinion.

Addressing widespread speculation that he used his office to deploy the police for personal reasons, Umahi firmly denied any abuse of power. The statement clarified that the Nigeria Police Force acted within its constitutional responsibilities after receiving a formal petition from the minister’s legal representatives. Following standard procedure, the complainant was arrested, and the minister himself was invited by the police to make a statement as part of the investigation.

The media office accused Sowore of attempting to dramatize what it described as a routine and lawful investigative process. It characterised the activist’s intervention as “performative activism,” alleging that it was designed to create a public spectacle and generate attention rather than allow due process to establish the facts of the case. According to the statement, Umahi declined to engage in any form of confrontation at the police station and instead chose to disengage calmly to avoid escalating tensions.

“The matter remains under police investigation, where facts will determine the outcome,” the statement said, adding that the minister has confidence in the ability of law enforcement agencies to handle the case impartially and professionally.

Umahi also used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and democratic principles. He stressed that he would not allow distractions to derail his responsibilities as Minister of Works, particularly at a time when the federal government is undertaking major infrastructure projects across the country, including road construction and rehabilitation critical to economic growth.

Despite the minister’s explanation, the incident has continued to fuel intense public debate, with critics questioning the propriety of involving the police in what they argue should be a civil dispute. Supporters of Sowore, on the other hand, have praised his intervention as an example of citizen activism and accountability, while government supporters insist the rule of law must be respected.

As investigations continue, the confrontation has once again highlighted the growing tension between public office holders and civil society actors in Nigeria, as well as the broader debate over accountability, power, and the role of activism in a democratic society.