On Tuesday, Minister of Works David Umahi abruptly walked out on journalists at a scheduled press event in Abuja, declaring that the press was nonexistent.

Journalists had gathered in the ministry’s conference room and waited over 50 minutes for the minister, who had invited them just two hours earlier. Umahi arrived at 2:50 PM and, after leading the national anthem and pledge, abruptly ended the meeting by saying, “There is no press here.

The press conference is not held again. When the press is ready. The permanent secretary and other directors should follow me to my office. The press is not existent.”

This sudden departure stunned the assembled journalists, including representatives from The Nation, The Guardian, Vanguard, Blueprint, Arise TV, Channels TV, and NTA.

Without offering further explanation or an apology, Umahi left the conference hall with his directors.