Mary Habila: Suspend Umahi now, APM tells Tinubu

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Habila

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By Luminous Jannamike

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The Allied People’s Movement, APM, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, pending what it described as an open, independent and transparent inquest into the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist reportedly found dead at the minister’s residence in Ebonyi State.

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The opposition party said allowing the minister to step aside while the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death are investigated would reassure Nigerians that no public office holder is above the law and help restore confidence in the government’s commitment to justice.

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The demand was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, who argued that the Presidency should move swiftly to address growing public concern over the incident.

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“The Allied People’s Movement (APM) demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saves the image of the nation and the integrity of the Nigerian government by immediately suspending the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, and ordering an open, independent and transparent inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mary Habila.

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“The continued stay of Engr. Umahi in the federal cabinet and the silence of the Presidency despite the minister’s alleged connection with the gruesome incident, cast a huge blight on the nation and further confirms the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as insensitive and one that has no iota of regard for the lives of Nigerians especially women and youths,” Yusuf said.

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He added that the situation risks eroding public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the sanctity of human life.

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The party linked its call to what it described as growing public apprehension over conflicting accounts surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence, the circumstances of her death and reports alleging pressure on her family to bury her without an autopsy.

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According to the party, media reports alleged that Habila was brought from Kaduna State to the minister’s residence in Ebonyi by one of Umahi’s aides alongside another young woman on June 26, 2026, before she was reportedly found dead the following morning.

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The APM said those reports warranted an independent investigation capable of answering what it described as legitimate questions surrounding the case.

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“Was Mary brought from Kaduna to Ebonyi by an aide of the minister as reported in the media? What exactly transpired inside the minister’s residence that led to Mary’s death? Why did the minister allegedly leave the residence shortly after medical personnel arrived as reported in section of the media?

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“Importantly, why was the incident that happened since June kept secret until after it was reported by an investigative media report a few days ago? Were there attempts to conceal a crime?” the APM asked.

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The party also referred to what it described as the emergence of a viral video in which another woman alleged physical sexual harassment at the same residence where Habila was found dead.

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“These are legitimate questions that deserve credible answers especially with the surfacing of a viral video of another woman alleging physical sexual harassment in the same residence where Mary was found dead,” Yusuf said.

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The APM said the President owed Nigerians a responsibility to demonstrate that no member of his administration was above the law, irrespective of status.

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“The continued stay of the minister in office while these serious questions remain unanswered only deepens the perception that the administration is unwilling to subject powerful public officials to the same standard of accountability expected of other Nigerians,” Yusuf added.

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The party reiterated its demand for what it called a transparent, impartial and independent inquest, saying such an investigation was necessary to establish the truth, ensure justice for Habila and restore public confidence in the rule of law.

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It also commiserated with Habila’s family and pledged to continue pushing for justice in the case.

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