The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has strongly criticized a so-called ‘faceless group‘ claiming to represent Concerned Youths supporting Senator David Umahi. This group recently demanded an apology from Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni following his contentious exchange with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on a televised program.
AEISCID dismissed this faction as a “small, disheartened assembly, appearing isolated and overwhelmed,” emphasizing that they do not embody the true voice or aspirations of Ebonyi youths or the broader community of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday from Abuja and signed by AEISCID President Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, the organization urged authentic Ebonyi youths to rise above manipulation, concentrate on their future prospects, and reject being exploited to intimidate journalists or institutions committed to transparency and accountability.
Oluchukwu highlighted that the protest orchestrated by this so-called youth group was largely the work of a handful of misguided individuals, many of whom are former minor political appointees or ex-members of the now-defunct Ebubeagu security outfit that operated under Umahi’s administration.
“Their conduct only perpetuates the culture of sycophancy and intolerance that marked Umahi’s unusually authoritarian eight-year tenure,” the statement added.
Regarding the heated exchange during the interview, AEISCID clarified that the AriseTV session was a standard journalistic inquiry where the reporter sought detailed information about the costs of federal road projects managed by the Ministry of Works. This aligns with Section 22 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which mandates the press to hold government officials accountable to the public.
“Questions posed by the fearless Rufai Oseni to Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi, such as the precise cost per kilometer of the coastal highway, are essential for ensuring transparency and public accountability-principles every public official should uphold rather than resist. It is unfortunate that instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, some individuals from Ebonyi have chosen to act as tools for Umahi’s attempt to intimidate the press and obscure facts about leadership failures that have negatively impacted the state’s economy and institutions,” the statement emphasized.
The group further recalled that during Governor Umahi’s eight-year administration, journalists were reportedly barred from Government House and, in some cases, physically attacked for probing issues related to accountability, governance, and financial integrity.
“True transparency requires that no public official, past or present, be considered above the law or beyond scrutiny,” AEISCID asserted.
Calling on Arise News, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the general public to disregard the disruptive tactics of this self-interested faction, the statement noted that the majority of Ebonyi citizens, both within Nigeria and abroad, are ashamed of the protest and the conduct revealed during the interview, which exposed a lack of decorum expected from a public servant.
“AEISCID urges Senator Umahi, now serving as Minister of Works, to uphold the dignity of his office by responding to public inquiries with honesty and humility, and to refrain from behaviors or statements that further tarnish the reputation of Ebonyi State and its people,” the statement concluded.
The association described Ebonyi as a community of proud, intelligent, and peace-loving individuals who value hard work, fairness, and truthfulness-not flattery or propaganda.
“As always, AEISCID remains committed to advocating for justice, good governance, and the collective honor of Ebonyi people wherever they reside,” it affirmed.
