Sowore questions businesswoman’s apology to Umahi

Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore has expressed doubts over a public apology issued by businesswoman Tracyniter (Tracy) Nicholas Ohiri to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, suggesting she may have been pressured to retract her earlier allegations.

Ohiri had previously accused Umahi of sexual harassment and failing to pay for contracts allegedly executed on his behalf. However, she later withdrew the claims in a video message released on Wednesday.

In the recording, Ohiri said she decided to retract the allegations after “proper consultation with my family, friends and legal team, and a painstaking review of events of the past two weeks”.

“I admit that Engineer Dave Umahi, the former governor of Ebonyi State and current Minister of Works, did not inform me that what happened to the Neyland engineers would happen to me if I visited Ebonyi State,” she said.

Ohiri explained that her knowledge of the Neyland engineers was based only on information she saw online and on accounts from others, indicating she had no direct involvement or firsthand experience with them.

She also apologised to the minister and those affected by the controversy.

“I apologise to Engineer Dave Umahi for the embarrassment this allegation may have caused him and his family,” she said.

“I sincerely apologise to his family, to my own family, friends and everyone who felt caught up in and embarrassed by what happened.”

Ohiri further clarified that she never claimed that Umahi tied a towel before meeting her in a hotel room.

“I apologise if the allegations have been magnified and taken out of context,” she added.

She also acknowledged that no formal contract agreement existed between her and the minister, suggesting that any arrangement may have been informal.

“Although the job was done and delivered to his aides, they might have used the material for campaign purposes without informing him and without his knowledge,” she said.

“I apologise sincerely for any misunderstanding this might have caused.”

Reacting to the development, Sowore raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the apology.

In a post on Facebook, the activist wrote that those who supported Ohiri did so because they believed she was vulnerable against a powerful public official.

“We didn’t fight for her because we believed she was strong; we fought for her because we knew she was vulnerable and lacked the privilege needed to withstand her adversary, a powerful Nigerian minister,” he wrote.

Sowore also called for clarification over reports that ₦100 million had allegedly been earmarked to settle the dispute.

“Perhaps Engineer Dave Umahi should explain where the ₦100 million reportedly set aside to settle the matter came from, along with the video he strongly demanded be made to exonerate him from the most serious allegations and the agreement to withdraw the criminal charges,” he added.

“Our duty is fulfilled the moment we stand up for the weak against the powerful.”