The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has denied deploying policemen against one Tracy Ohiri to resolve a disagreement over campaign debt.

The minister described the woman’s claims as inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking coherence, a fact that has been widely noted by members of the public who have followed the matter over time.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, on Thursday, Umahi said the police, acting within their constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and investigate complaints, responded to a petition submitted by his lawyer.

The police subsequently arrested Ohiri and invited the minister in line with standard procedure for statements.

The controversy stems from a viral video circulated on Wednesday showing Sowore confronting Umahi in a public setting over allegations made by Ohiri.

In the video, Sowore was seen attempting to question Umahi regarding claims of assault and the alleged non-payment for campaign materials supplied during past political activities. The encounter appeared tense, with Sowore accusing the minister of using state institutions to intimidate a private citizen.

Umahi, however, declined to engage in a prolonged exchange and walked away from the scene. Sowore subsequently shared the footage on social media platforms, framing the incident as an attempt to demand accountability.

The video has since generated mixed reactions online, with supporters of both men offering contrasting interpretations of the incident while the matter remains under police investigation.