Minister of Works Dave Umahi has denied allegations by businesswoman Tracy Ohiri that he demanded sex from her in exchange for the payment of a debt.
Ohiri made the allegation in a viral video.
She was later arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on a defamation charge.
Minister Umahi spoke on Saturday in Enugu after inspecting federal government projects in Enugu and Anambra states.
He said he was not troubled by comments on social media and described the claims as politically motivated.
“Don’t insult your leaders because what a man soweth is what he reaps. People know me very well. I was a party chairman, deputy governor and governor for eight years, and nobody said I harassed anyone,” he said.
He added that he had faced challenges in the past and would not be distracted.
According to him, the allegation was linked to politics and the approaching electoral season.
“I know it’s all about politics, and politics has started, but when the right time comes and the whistle is blown by INEC, we will know what we are made of,” he said.
Umahi also dismissed claims that he had pursued anyone for years, describing such suggestions as unrealistic.
He said the controversy was intended to generate discussion online and urged the public to focus on other national and international issues.
The minister had earlier denied deploying police against Ohiri over an alleged campaign debt.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media Francis Nwaze, Umahi said the police acted on a petition submitted by his lawyer and followed due process.
He stated that the matter remained under investigation and that he would respect institutional processes.
