Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigerians could lose confidence in government if Minister of Works David Umahi remains in office while investigations into the death of Mary Habila continue.
Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to direct Umahi to step aside pending the outcome of an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death at a residence linked to the minister in Ebonyi State.
Habila, a 26-year-old from Nok in Southern Kaduna, died on June 27, 2026. The incident has generated public concern over the handling of the investigation.
In a statement on Thursday, Atiku said asking the minister to temporarily vacate office would not amount to a declaration of guilt but would help protect the integrity of the investigation and reassure Nigerians that the matter would be handled transparently.
“This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy,” he said.
The former vice president also called for the investigation to be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and urged the involvement of independent forensic experts.
He further demanded a full autopsy and the public release of its findings, arguing that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death required a credible and transparent inquiry.
Atiku stressed that he was not accusing Umahi of wrongdoing, noting that only an independent investigation could establish the facts of the case.
Authorities have not yet announced any findings regarding the cause of Habila’s death, and investigations are ongoing.
