By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Minister of Works,Dave Umahi on Tuesday walked out on journalists covering the ministry’s activities in Abuja.
The incident occurred in the ministry’s conference room where the correspondents had been gathered, following an invitation sent just two hours prior.
Umahi, who arrived at 2:50 pm, quickly concluded the meeting after reciting the national anthem and pledge.
He declared, “There is no press here. The press conference is not held again. When the press is ready,” before directing the permanent secretary and other directors to follow him to his office.
His abrupt departure left the gathered journalists, who had been waiting for over 50 minutes, surprised and without further explanation or apology.
The journalists present at the event represented various major media outlets, including The Nation, The Guardian, Vanguard, Blueprint, Arise TV, Channels TV, and NTA, among others.
Despite their presence, Umahi insisted that the press was “nonexistent” and ended the briefing.
The minister who is the former governor of Ebonyi, recently made attempts to embarrass an Arise TV correspondent in Lagos, but he was rebuffed.