Tracyniter (Tracy) Nicholas Ohiri, a businesswoman, has issued a statement retracting her earlier allegations of sexual harassment and unpaid contracts against Dave Umahi, minister of works.
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 said she does not personally know the Neyland engineers beyond what she read online and heard from others.
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 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 said her family has decided to move on from the matter, urging the public to respect that decision.
On the financial dispute, she admitted there was never a formally signed agreement between her and Umahi.
“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,” she said.
“I apologise sincerely for any misgivings that this might have caused.”
The retraction comes days after Ohiri’s allegations triggered widespread online discussion and a rebuttal from Umahi, who had dismissed the claims as mischievous and politically motivated.
The minister had earlier told supporters that nobody under his leadership as party chairman, deputy governor or governor had ever accused him of harassment.
