Umahi Criticises Cubana Chief Priest Over Public Display of Wealth
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has criticised popular Nigerian socialite and businessman, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, over the growing culture of flaunting wealth and making public declarations about financial success.
Umahi, while speaking at a recent engagement, questioned why some Nigerians constantly boast about their financial status instead of allowing their achievements and contributions to society to speak for them.
The minister expressed concern over what he described as excessive “noise-making” and the tendency to measure success by the amount of money individuals claim to possess.
“We have become very noise-making. Every time, money na water. How much do you have? Have you ever seen water that have money?” Umahi said.
He maintained that genuine wealth should be reflected in meaningful accomplishments, particularly through initiatives that improve people’s lives and create opportunities for others.
Umahi also urged Nigerians to focus on making tangible contributions to society rather than constantly advertising their financial status.
Although the minister did not mention Cubana Chief Priest directly during his remarks, the comments come weeks after the socialite publicly criticised Umahi’s performance as Minister of Works.
Cubana Chief Priest had described Umahi as the second-worst minister the South-East had produced, arguing that the region had not benefited sufficiently from his position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The businessman also called on Tinubu to remove Umahi and other ministers he considered underperforming.
His comments sparked debate over the performance of South-East political appointees and the Federal Government’s infrastructure development efforts in the region.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, has continued to defend the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects, insisting that the South-East is benefiting from ongoing road construction and rehabilitation initiatives.
The exchange has further fuelled public discussions about wealth, accountability and political performance in Nigeria.
