Four women-led advocacy groups have called for strict adherence to the rule of law in addressing the allegations circulating against the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, insisting that the matter should be resolved through proper judicial channels rather than through social media campaigns.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, 1st March, 2026, the organisations, Women Advocates for Responsible Governance, WARG, Women for Justice and Institutional Integrity, WJII, Coalition of Patriotic Nigerian Women, CPNW, and National Women Alliance for Rule of Law, NWARL, collectively maintained that the accusations attributed to Mrs Tracy Nicholas Ohiri lack verifiable documentation and must be tested before a competent court.

Addressing journalists, the National President of WARG, Dr. Amina Yusuf, was reported to have expressed concern that unsubstantiated claims were being amplified in a manner capable of undermining governance. She reportedly stated that the issue was not about silencing any individual but about ensuring that serious allegations are backed by credible evidence. According to her, a ₦24.5 million transaction allegedly dating back to 2015 would ordinarily be supported by contracts, invoices, delivery acknowledgements, and traceable financial records.

She was quoted as questioning why, nearly a decade later, there appears to be no formal demand letter, civil action, or documented effort at recovery if the claim was genuine, stressing that public discourse must not replace legal procedure.

Similarly, the Executive Director of WJII, Hajia Halimat Bello, was said to have emphasized that institutional integrity depends on proof and process. She reportedly argued that commercial transactions of such magnitude cannot exist without documentation and challenged the claimant to present procurement records or evidence of civil recovery steps if the supply truly occurred.

The groups further cautioned against emotional narratives overshadowing legal standards, warning that sensational approaches risk eroding public trust in legitimate complaints.

Speaking for the CPNW, Mrs. Folake Adeyemi reportedly described the allegation as inconsistent with established commercial practice, noting that it would be unusual for a multi-million naira supply to remain undocumented and unlitigated for nearly ten years. She was said to have added that if the matter were purely about debt recovery, the appropriate legal remedies would have been pursued long ago.

On her part, Dr. Grace Onuoha, representing NWARL, reportedly drew attention to the broader democratic implications, stating that accountability must operate within the confines of lawful procedure. She was quoted as urging parties to file claims, present evidence, and allow the courts to determine the facts, warning against what she described as verdicts delivered in the court of public opinion.

Collectively, the four organisations reiterated that their stance was guided by principle rather than personality. They affirmed the presumption of innocence and underscored the need for due process in matters involving public officials.

They called on Nigerians to refrain from what they termed trial by ambush and to allow competent judicial institutions to examine the claims thoroughly.

The groups maintained that allegations, however serious, must ultimately be proven in court, not adjudicated through viral content.

Civil society organisations, media professionals, and leaders of the APC on Friday called for urgent constitutional intervention in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, demanding that the National Assembly take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with Section 11 of the Constitution.

Addressing journalists during a one week non stop rally at the APC Secretariat on 23rd January 2026, the groups declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly had lost credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to what they described as persistent abuse of legislative powers and a reckless attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

They warned that Rivers State was sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis, stressing that the ongoing impeachment process was no longer about legislative oversight but a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance. According to them, democracy in the state was under serious threat and silence at this point would amount to complicity.

The groups commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel and for respecting existing court orders, describing the decision as a clear affirmation of the rule of law and a rejection of illegality. They insisted that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Fubara, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

They further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such conduct rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional duties. On this basis, they urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and assume the legislative functions of the state assembly to restore order and democratic stability.

The APC Leaders Forum and civil society groups also alleged that 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were behind the crisis. They claimed the lawmakers had received constituency project funds estimated at about ₦350 million each, luxury SUV vehicles, and up to one year salary in advance, yet remained unsatisfied and determined to frustrate the current administration. According to the groups, the lawmakers were more interested in diverting state resources for personal benefit than allowing public funds to serve the people of Rivers State.

The coalition vowed to sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action was taken, including the takeover of legislative functions by the National Assembly. They called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise, maintain civic presence around the National Assembly, and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.

They maintained that Governor Fubara had shown prudence and commitment to the welfare of Rivers people, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation.

The groups concluded with a call for unity in defence of democracy, declaring their resolve to continue the struggle until constitutional order is fully restored in Rivers State.

***demand resignation of Finance Minister, Uzoka-Anite

No fewer than one thousand (1000) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have formed a strong Coalition to back the ongoing protest against the Federal Government, by Nigeria’s local contractors in Abuja.

The Coalition has also called on the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, to resign quietly, to save Nigeria of the imminent economic crisis.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by the Representative of National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), Comrade Wisdom Abah; that of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Engr. Istifanus Pam; Movement for Accountable and Good Governance (MAGGo), Comrade Babatunde Ibidapo; National Coalition for Peace, Unity and Progress (NCPUP), Alhaji Babale Idris; and that of National Forum of APC Young Professionals (NFAYP), Engr. Lukman Adejobi; on behalf of other groups.

The groups frowned at the refusal of the Finance Minister to implement the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the outright payment of the outstanding debts owed the indigenous contractors in Nigeria.

They tagged it as a major sign of “economic sabotage”, ascribing the ongoing protest to “unwarranted negligence” of Dr. Uzoka-Anite, saying the ongoing civil action would hamper and ground the nation’s economy.

“We have been sounding this warning, calling and begging the Honourable Minister of State for Finance. This was what we were trying to avoid. But today, it is coming upon the nation. This whole thing was avoidable, but for the unwarranted negligence of the Minister, this is happening”, the statement said.

The Coalition, while acknowledging “the patience, long suffering, perseverance, and display of patriotism” by the Contractors whom they said, have endured the “shame and suffering since 2024”; also called on President Tinubu to urgently constitute another Presidential Committee to take over the responsibility of payment of the debts from the Finance Minister and her team.

“We have understudied this whole issue and we can comfortably tell anyone, including Mr. President, that this is a dangerous signal for economic sabotage. Dr. Uzoka-Anite and her collaborators should not be allowed to handle this issue anymore. It would do this country more harm than good. Infact, the Minister should quietly resign and abdicate her duties, to save the country from the looming economic crisis.

“If not for sabotage, why on earth should you allow the Federal Government to accumulate such a high debt of over four trillion naira (N4tr) since 2024, on projects that have been completed and even Commissioned by the executive. Her own case is even worse than Mr. Wale Edun. She is said to be selecting those contractors from her state of birth or those close to her contacts and paying them.

“Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite promised that warrants would be released once the list of eligible contractors was provided. The Contractors have since submitted the list of eligible recipients and it has been duly confirmed. Yet, no payment has followed the submission, aside some handful selective payments.

“Some of these local contractors have died as a result of pressure from banks where they took loans from, to execute the jobs. Some companies are now rendered bankrupt, while some business owners are down with stroke. Yet, the government is engaging in selective payment to their cronies and foreign contractors.

“Despite the intervention of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the directive from President Tinubu in December that all debts should be cleared, these guys appear adamant. And it is not as if there is no fund. This is total sabotage and the end result is disastrous”, the Coalition warned.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had reported that, the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) on Monday resumed its protest in Abuja over N4 trillion debt owed to its members by the Federal Government for completed capital projects appropriated in the 2024 budget.

Speaking with journalists during the protest at the Ministry of Finance on Monday, AICAN President, Mr Jackson Nwosu, warned that the association might be forced to take drastic action if the outstanding payments were not settled.

Nwosu said the funds used to execute the 2024 capital projects were largely sourced from commercial banks, placing contractors under severe financial pressure; threatening to totally shut down the economy of the country, as “our next line of action”, “if they do not kill us”

NAN quoted Nwosu as saying, many contractors had defaulted on bank loans, leading to the seizure of properties, while some members had reportedly died as a result of the financial strain.