The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has come under public scrutiny following reports that he recently built a large-scale hotel in his home community of Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The facility, identified as Galaxy La-Palm Hotel and part of the Galaxy La-Palm Royal Resort, is described as an upscale hospitality establishment featuring well-furnished rooms, modern amenities and a restaurant designed to offer premium services.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the hotel is being managed by Umahi’s 27-year-old son.
The development has drawn significant attention on social media, particularly amid the circulation of a viral video in which Umahi, while addressing supporters at a political gathering, spoke about his growing influence and wealth since leaving office as governor. In the video, the minister stated that he had become “ten times bigger” than he was while in office and described himself as “very dangerous,” adding that God had blessed his family with substantial wealth.
Further fueling public interest, sources said Umahi’s son, who reportedly manages the hotel, recently purchased a nomination form to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area under the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the cost of ₦30 million.
According to the sources, no other aspirant has picked the APC nomination form for the position since his entry into the race. A source claimed that potential contenders were discouraged by perceptions that the ruling party’s ticket and the election outcome were already determined.
While there is no law prohibiting public officials or their family members from owning private businesses, the size of the hotel project and the minister’s public comments on wealth have sparked renewed debate about transparency and sudden affluence among political elites.
Umahi, who served two terms as governor of Ebonyi State before his appointment as a federal minister by President Bola Tinubu, has not publicly commented on the source of funding for the hotel or other family business interests.
The reports have continued to generate mixed reactions, with critics calling for greater accountability from public office holders, particularly at a time of widespread economic hardship across the country.
