Alleged Sexual Harassment: Sowore Kicks as Businesswoman Apologises to Umahi

Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist, on Thursday expressed skepticism over a businesswoman’s apology to Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, suggesting she was pressured into apologising.

Tracyniter (Tracy) Nicholas Ohiri had accused Umahi of sexual harassment and unpaid contracts, but later retracted her statement in a video message.

In the video message released on Wednesday, Ohiri said she reached the decision 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 the current minister of Works, did not inform me that what happened to the Neyland engineers would happen to me if I visit Ebonyi state,” she said.

Ohiri stated that her knowledge of the Neyland engineers is limited to online information and hearsay from others, implying she has no direct connection or firsthand experience with them.

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

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

She clarified that she never said Umahi tied a towel to meet her in a hotel room.

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

Ohiri further acknowledged that there was no formal agreement signed between her and Umahi, suggesting an informal arrangement may have been in place.

“Although the job was done and delivered to his aides, they might have used the material for campaign purposes without informing him, and without him knowing about it.

“I apologise sincerely for any misgivings that this might have caused,” she added.

However, Sowore, in a Facebook post wrote, “Per TracyNither Nicolas Ohiri so-called ‘Apology’ Video To Works Minister, David Umahi:

“We didn’t fight for her (Mrs. ohiri) 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.

“Perhaps Engineer David 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.

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