By Lizzy Chirkpi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to step aside pending an independent investigation into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the minister’s private residence in Ebonyi State.

In a statement on Thursday, Atiku described the Federal Government’s handling of the case as “a comprehensive and disgraceful failure,” accusing authorities of remaining silent despite growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

He said asking Umahi to step aside while investigations are ongoing would demonstrate the government’s commitment to accountability and help restore public confidence in the process.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Habila family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died,” Atiku said.

He stressed that expressions of sympathy alone were insufficient, adding that “Nigerians deserve answers.”

According to the former vice president, the government’s response to the incident had fallen short of public expectations.

“A young woman died in the residence of a serving Federal Minister. For nearly two weeks, neither the Minister, nor the police, nor any arm of government said a word to the Nigerian people,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as official silence from key institutions of government.

“Through all of this, silence from the Presidency. Silence from the Federal Executive Council. Silence from the Inspector-General of Police. Silence from the National Assembly. Not one word. Not one directive. Not one gesture to assure Nigerians that the life of Mary Habila matters to this government.”

Atiku clarified that he was not accusing the minister of any wrongdoing but argued that only an independent and transparent investigation could establish the facts.

“Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth.”

He urged President Tinubu to direct Umahi to temporarily vacate office pending the outcome of investigations, describing the action as “the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy.”

The former presidential candidate also called on the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts.

In addition, he demanded “a full, independent, and internationally credible autopsy” on the deceased, with the findings made public, while urging authorities to protect Habila’s family from “any pressure, inducement, or intimidation” and guarantee them access to information about the investigation.

“The measure of a nation is how it responds when the powerful are touched by tragedy and the powerless demand truth,” Atiku said.

He added, “Mary Habila was somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister, a young professional with her life ahead of her. She was a Nigerian. Her death must not be reduced to a footnote of political convenience.”

Concluding his statement, Atiku said: “Nigeria will work again, but only when the life of every Nigerian counts, and when no one, however highly placed, stands beyond the reach of accountability.”

Mary Habila, a 26-year-old woman from Nok in Southern Kaduna, reportedly died on June 27, 2026, at Senator Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she was said to have been employed.

The incident attracted national attention after reports questioned the circumstances surrounding her death, prompting calls from civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders for an independent investigation.

Umahi has denied any involvement in Habila’s death, maintaining that he was not at the residence when the incident occurred. The Minister has also supported calls for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not officially responded to Atiku’s latest demands.