The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has defended Minister of Works David Umahi following criticism from Nigerian socialite and nightlife entrepreneur Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.
The student organisation described the criticism as unwarranted, misleading and politically motivated, insisting that Umahi had made significant contributions to infrastructure development, particularly through the adoption of concrete pavement technology in road construction.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by NANS National President Akinteye Afeez, the association described the minister as one of the strongest-performing members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration from the South-East region.
The intervention followed remarks attributed to Cubana Chief Priest, who reportedly described Umahi as one of the worst ministers the South-East had produced and called on the President to replace ministers he considered ineffective.
NANS Challenges Criticism of Works Minister
NANS argued that public assessments of government officials should be based on verifiable records rather than political disagreements or personal opinions.
The association highlighted Umahi’s promotion of rigid concrete pavement technology, which has featured in several federal road construction projects under his leadership at the Ministry of Works.
According to the student body, the minister’s infrastructure programme represents an important component of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve road construction and strengthen transportation networks.
NANS also accused the socialite of making assertions that it considered insufficiently substantiated.
The association maintained that Cubana Chief Priest was entitled to hold and express his political views but argued that such freedom should be accompanied by responsibility when making claims about public officials.
It urged him to verify his assertions before making them public.
Political Disagreement Over Umahi’s Performance
The exchange reflects the wider political debate over the performance of ministers serving in the Tinubu administration, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
Umahi has remained a prominent supporter of Tinubu and the administration’s political agenda in the South-East, a region where the ruling APC faces competition from opposition parties.
NANS also urged the President not to be swayed by criticism it considers politically motivated, arguing that the minister’s infrastructure record deserves recognition.
However, the association’s defence represents its assessment of Umahi’s performance and does not, by itself, settle broader questions about the effectiveness of the Ministry of Works.
The impact of road construction programmes depends on factors including project completion, construction quality, maintenance, cost and the benefits delivered to road users.
Similarly, criticism of a public official is best assessed against verifiable evidence about the official’s performance and the specific projects under consideration.
The exchange between NANS and Cubana Chief Priest therefore adds another dimension to the public debate over Umahi’s performance and the role of political personalities in evaluating government officials.