The Allied People’s Movement, APM, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi. The demand was recently contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, and Nigerians have been reacting.
Arguing that the Presidency should move swiftly to address growing public concern over the incident, Abubakar revealed that an investigation must be carried out to determine what led to the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist reportedly found dead at the minister’s residence in Ebonyi State.
The opposition party added that suspending Umahi would reassure Nigerians that no public office holder is above the law.
His words, “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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.”
