Civil Society Coalition rallies behind Umahi, warns against ‘Trial by Social Media’

2026-03-01 - 15:36

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) on Saturday rose in strong defence of the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, describing recent public accusations against him as “sensational, contradictory and unsupported by evidence.” At a press conference in Abuja, the coalition cautioned against what it called the growing trend of “trial by social media,” insisting that allegations must be tested in courtrooms, not in viral videos. The briefing follows a confrontation on February 25, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command involving activist Omoyele Sowore and the minister. A widely circulated video shows Sowore accusing Umahi of misusing police authority over an alleged private financial dispute tied to the 2015 Ebonyi State governorship election. The claim centres on an alleged ₦24.5 million debt for campaign materials said to have been supplied during the polls. However, COCSON noted that separate narratives referencing ₦250 million have also emerged online, creating what it described as “serious inconsistencies.” Speaking on behalf of the coalition, National Spokesperson Olawale Oladimeji said an independent internal review by COCSON uncovered “logical gaps” in the claims being amplified online. “If goods worth ₦24.5 million were genuinely supplied in 2015, where is the written contract? Where are the delivery notes? Where is the acknowledgement of receipt? Why was there no documented demand immediately after the election? Why wait nearly a decade before going public?” Oladimeji queried. He stressed that political campaigns operate through structured procurement processes, documented approvals, and financial oversight mechanisms, arguing that transactions of such magnitude do not rest on verbal agreements. The coalition also questioned the timing of the allegation, noting that Nigeria’s legal system provides established channels for civil debt recovery. “Legitimate claims are pursued through demand letters, arbitration and court filings — not viral recordings,” Oladimeji said. “When allegations surface many years later, without evidence of prior legal pursuit, the timing naturally invites scrutiny.” COCSON acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to freedom of expression but warned that rights must function within the bounds of legality and evidence. “Social media is not a court of law. Emotional appeal is not evidence. Public sympathy is not proof,” the coalition declared. The group urged all parties to allow investigative authorities to conclude any lawful inquiry without politicisation, noting that the minister’s office has indicated that the matter is under review. “If indeed there is a contractual disagreement between private parties, it remains a civil matter. Civil disputes belong in courtrooms, not in viral confrontations staged for public spectacle,” the coalition stated. COCSON further warned against attempts to frame the issue through emotional or gender-based narratives without substantiation, arguing that serious advocacy loses credibility when not anchored on verifiable facts. Defending the minister’s public record, the coalition highlighted Umahi’s tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State and his current role overseeing critical federal road infrastructure projects. It described the Federal Ministry of Works as a performance-driven office central to national economic growth and interstate commerce. “A leader tasked with supervising multi-billion naira infrastructure projects is unlikely to be entangled in undocumented financial disputes dating back nearly a decade,” Oladimeji said. The coalition announced plans to hold a solidarity rally on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in support of the minister, describing it as a counter-mobilisation to a separate protest being planned against him. It called on Nigerians to resist emotional manipulation and allow due process to take its course. “We reaffirm that no citizen is above the law. Equally, no citizen should be publicly condemned without proof. Justice must be evidence-driven. Governance must not be derailed by distraction,” it added.