Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest

Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to suspend or compel the resignation of Minister of Works David Umahi over the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist Mary Habila, warning that it will mobilise nationwide protests if no action is taken.

The youth organisation said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death warrant an independent, transparent and credible investigation, insisting that Umahi should step aside to allow security agencies to conduct an impartial probe without any perception of interference.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Isah Abubakar, the NYCN called on the Nigeria Police Force to invite the minister for questioning as part of its ongoing investigation into the incident.

According to the group, the death of a young professional reportedly at the private residence of a serving cabinet minister has generated widespread public concern and should be thoroughly investigated in line with the provisions of the law.

The NYCN also urged the authorities to commission an independent autopsy, arguing that only a transparent forensic examination can establish the exact cause of Habila’s death and address the many questions surrounding the incident.

“While we acknowledge the Minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we believe any investigation should be conducted independently and transparently,” Abubakar said.

The council stressed that the investigation should examine all available medical, forensic and other relevant evidence to determine the circumstances leading to Habila’s death.

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According to Abubakar, reports in the public domain indicate that Habila died at Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, making it imperative for investigators to independently verify all claims and allegations through lawful procedures rather than speculation.

“A death occurring in the residence of a public office holder should be thoroughly investigated in line with the law to establish the facts,” he added.

The NYCN said it is acting in solidarity with civil society organisations and youth groups advocating justice and accountability in the case. It maintained that the investigation must be free from political influence and conducted in accordance with due process.

The group warned that failure by the Federal Government to suspend Umahi and commence what it described as a credible investigation within seven days would trigger coordinated protests across major cities in Nigeria.

“If the Federal Government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate what we consider a credible investigation within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, alongside allied civil society organisations and youth groups, will organise nationwide protests,” the statement said.

The latest development adds to growing calls for an independent investigation into Mary Habila’s death. Earlier, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged the Federal Government to establish an impartial probe into the incident and called on Umahi to temporarily step aside pending the outcome of investigations.

However, David Umahi has consistently denied allegations of any cover-up. The minister recently stated that Habila’s death was immediately reported to the police and that emergency medical personnel were contacted without delay.

Umahi has also publicly supported an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, saying a scientific investigation remains the best way to establish the facts. According to the minister, Habila and another physiotherapist were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works before the incident occurred.

He has urged Nigerians to avoid speculation and allow security agencies to complete their investigation, insisting that he has cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not released the outcome of its investigation, while the Federal Government had yet to officially respond to the NYCN’s seven-day ultimatum.

Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest