The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, has given the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, a seven-day ultimatum to step aside over the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Mary Habila, warning that it will embark on nationwide protests if its demands are not met.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Isah Abubakar, the group called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend the minister to allow what it described as an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
The council also urged the Nigeria Police Force to invite and question Umahi, arguing that the circumstances of the incident require a transparent criminal investigation.
According to the NYCN, reports circulating in the public domain indicate that Habila died at Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, adding that allegations surrounding the circumstances of her death have heightened public concern.
The group further demanded an independent autopsy, insisting that the examination should be conducted transparently to establish the cause of death and determine whether foul play was involved.
The council said an investigation conducted under the influence of any interested party would not inspire public confidence.
Issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, the NYCN warned that it would mobilise its members and allied civil society organisations for sustained nationwide protests if Umahi was neither suspended nor subjected to what it described as a credible and uncompromised investigation within the stipulated period.
It said the planned demonstrations would be held in Abuja, Kaduna and Ebonyi State, among other locations, until its demands were met.
“The leadership of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), representing millions of young people across the nineteen northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, under the leadership of Comrade Isah Abubakar, National President, is deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged by the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden demise of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Miss Mary Habila.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend Senator Dave Umahi from his position as the Minister of Works. An active cabinet minister cannot be undergoing investigation for potential homicide while retaining the immense power, immunity, and influence of his office.
“He must step down to ensure that the police and independent investigators can work without intimidation or interference.
“The Nigeria Police Force must immediately take Senator Dave Umahi into custody for thorough questioning. Justice must not be selective. If a similar tragedy occurred in the home of an ordinary, impoverished citizen, that individual would immediately be behind bars as the primary suspect. Why should a sitting minister be treated with velvet gloves?
“While we acknowledge the Minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we reject any investigation conducted under his influence or within facilities tied to his administration. We demand an independent, internationally witnessed autopsy to scientifically determine the exact cause of Mary Habila’s death—specifically checking for signs of physical violence, sexual assault, or forced substance ingestion,” part of the statement read.
Mary Habila: Northern Youth Council gives Umahi seven-day ultimatum, issues threat