Minister of works, Dave Umahi
David Nweze Umahi, a two-term former governor of Ebonyi State, former senator of the Federal Republic, and Nigeria’s current Minister of Works, is no stranger to controversy. In fact, controversy seems to dog his every step. He is also not a public figure known for shying away from wielding authoritarian power or asserting executive authority, traits one might least expect from an ordained deacon of Christ Embassy. Yet, much like his ecclesiastical superior and Pentecostal minister, Chris Oyakhilome, he appears to have mastered the duality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
During his tenure as governor, his relationship with critics, journalists, and those who challenged his decisions frequently attracted public attention.
When Chijioke Agwu, a journalist with The Sun newspaper, published a report on Lassa fever cases in Ebonyi State that the governor considered objectionable, he was accused of violating the state’s COVID-19-related regulations and was subsequently arrested and detained. Another journalist, Vanguard reporter Peter Okutu, was also reportedly arrested around the same period for daring the Lion of Uburu.
Although such actions have no place in any sane society that values freedom of expression, it is not uncommon for public officials in Nigeria to behave like imperial rulers, wielding the power of life and death over ordinary citizens who find themselves in their crosshairs. We have seen this movie before, and repeated exposure has dulled our collective sense of outrage. Yet, over the years, the controversies surrounding Senator Umahi’s response to dissent and criticism have continued to provoke vigorous public debate about accountability, tolerance, and the proper limits of executive power.
