The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has rejected calls for the suspension or resignation of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over the death of his staff, Miss Mary Habila, insisting that investigations should be allowed to run their full course before any conclusions were drawn.
In a statement issued Friday by its deputy president general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and deputy secretary general, Prof. Chibuikeya Achoakawa, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation described demands by former vice president Atiku Abubakar and some northern groups for Umahi’s suspension as “premature, politically motivated and contrary to the principles of due process.”
The group insisted that while Habila’s death was a tragic incident that deserved a thorough and transparent investigation, and stressing that it was wrong to politicise the matter or subject the minister to public condemnation before the conclusion of police investigations.
According to Ohanaeze, “Senator David Umahi will not resign as Minister of Works merely because of politically driven pressure, and nobody should attempt to intimidate him into abandoning his constitutional responsibilities while investigations are ongoing.”
The organisation also questioned “selective outrage” by some political leaders, recalling the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto, and asking why some of those now demanding action over Habila’s death allegedly remained silent during the incident.
It noted that every Nigerian life was equally valuable, and that justice should not be influenced by political, ethnic or religious considerations, insisting that the rule of law must prevail over social media campaigns and public pressure.
Ohanaeze therefore urged political leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders, to allow the police and relevant authorities to complete their investigation without interference, warning against using the tragedy as a political weapon.
The organisation further commended Umahi for supporting a post-mortem examination in order to establish the actual cause of Habila’s death.
It also extended condolences to the family of the deceased, particularly her father, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, the people of Southern Kaduna and Senator Umahi, while expressing confidence that the truth surrounding Habila’s death would emerge through an impartial investigation.