Politics
Umahi Dismisses Allegations On Social Media, Insists On Projects Delivery
Speaking during an inspection tour of major infrastructure projects in the South East, the Minister addressed the claims directly, rejecting them as unfounded and mischievous.
In a signed statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the Minister pointed to his long-standing record in leadership positions as evidence of his integrity.
“I want to thank a lot of you who know me very well. As party chairman, I owe nobody and of course I presided over both men and women, and nobody ever said I harassed him/her or I owe him/her,” Senator Umahi said.
Reflecting on his years in executive office, he highlighted his experience as deputy governor and governor, stressing that his tenure was marked by notable infrastructure achievements.
“I was deputy governor, governor for eight years, and I did fantastic(ally well) in infrastructure. So nobody could come and say he’s been owed unless the person is being mischievous,” he added.
Addressing the rapid spread of the allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct online, the Minister maintained that he was neither angered nor distracted, describing such episodes as part of public life.
“So what you read in social media, I’m not worried about it. It makes me stronger, and I’ve fought many battles, so this is nothing,” he said.
Making light of the matter, Senator Umahi employed humour to underscore what he described as the non plausibility 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,” he remarked.
Beyond the humour, however, the Minister made it clear that his focus remained firmly on his official responsibilities.
“But I think we can turn our attention to the war in Iran now and then allow David Umahi to focus on his job,” he said.
2026 ELECTORAL ACT: SENATE REJECTS CALLS FOR AMENDMENT
The Senate has dismissed fresh calls by opposition leaders seeking another amendment to the 2026 Electoral Act, insisting that any proposed changes must follow laid down legislative procedures within the National Assembly.
The position of the upper chamber followed a press conference in Abuja by leaders of opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who urged lawmakers to urgently review aspects of the newly signed law.
The opposition leaders described certain provisions of the Act as unfair and skewed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The 2026 Electoral Act was recently passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu on February 18.
Among other changes, the new law limits political parties to direct primaries and consensus options in selecting candidates. Under the previous 2022 Act, parties could choose from direct primaries, indirect primaries through delegates, or consensus arrangements.
The law also shortens campaign periods and timelines for party primaries.
In addition, funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will now be released six months before an election, instead of 12 months as provided under the previous legislation.
Reacting to the opposition’s demand, Senate spokesman, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), advised aggrieved political actors to channel their concerns through their representatives in the National Assembly rather than making public pronouncements.
“Electoral Act again? Do you abort a pregnancy after the naming ceremony? But no problem. If they (opposition leaders) have any grey areas, they can just make their personal proposals to their legislators and they will bring them.
“Once they bring it to the National Assembly, we will look at it,” Senator Adaramodu told reporters.
Also speaking, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stressed that the constitutional power to amend the Electoral Act resides exclusively with the National Assembly.
He cautioned political actors against making statements capable of heightening tension in the country and urged them to prepare for the 2027 elections if they are dissatisfied with the current administration.
“The opposition should stop heating up the polity. The route they are taking is not the right one. They should leave this route because it can only lead to chaos.
“If they are not comfortable with the current administration, they should change it by contesting against Mr President in 2027 and see if they can defeat him. In the meantime, they should stop heating up the polity,” he said.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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