Atiku Abubakar Urges Minister to Resign Amid Investigation into Death of Mary Habila
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct Labor Minister Senator David Umahi to resign temporarily while an independent investigation is conducted into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the minister’s private residence in Ebonyi State.
In a statement released on Thursday, Atiku characterized the federal government’s response to this tragic incident as a “total and disgraceful failure.” He condemned the authorities for remaining silent despite mounting public concern regarding the circumstances of Habila’s death.
Atiku emphasized that asking Umahi to step down during the investigation would reflect the government’s commitment to accountability and help restore public trust in the investigative process. “My heart goes out to Habila’s family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken from them in her prime, fighting to know the truth about how she died,” he remarked, underscoring the need for transparency.
He noted that mere expressions of sympathy were inadequate, asserting, “Nigerians deserve answers.” Atiku criticized the government’s inadequate response, stating, “A young woman died at the residence of a sitting federal minister. For nearly two weeks, neither the minister nor the police nor any government agency has spoken to Nigerians about this matter.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the apparent silence from various key governmental entities, including the President, the Federal Executive Council, and the Inspector General of Police. “There has been no response, no directive, not a single gesture to assure Nigerians that Mary Habila’s life matters to this government,” he remarked.
While Atiku clarified that he was not directly accusing the minister of wrongdoing, he insisted that only a credible and transparent investigation could determine the facts. “Let me be clear: I make no proclamations about anyone’s guilt or innocence. Only an independent investigation can establish the truth,” he stated.
He urged President Tinubu to direct Umahi to temporarily step down as a basic aspect of public accountability in a functioning democracy. Additionally, Atiku called on the Inspector General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the military headquarters and involve independent forensic experts. He also emphasized the need to protect Habila’s family from any form of pressure, ensuring they have access to relevant information about the investigation, and called for a complete and publicly disclosed autopsy.
“The measure of a nation is how it responds when the powerful are affected by tragedy and the powerless demand truth,” Atiku said. He underscored the significance of Habila’s life, describing her as a daughter, sister, and young professional. “Her death should not be reduced to a mere political footnote,” he asserted, before concluding, “Nigeria will prosper again, but only when every life matters and no one, regardless of status, is above accountability.”
Mary Habila, originally from Noke in Southern Kaduna, reportedly arrived at Senator Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on June 27, 2026, where she was working. Her death has sparked nationwide discussions, with civil society organizations and community leaders demanding an independent investigation.
Senator Umahi has denied any involvement in Habila’s death and asserted that he was not present at the residence during the incident. He has also expressed support for a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death. As of the time of this report, the federal government had not officially responded to Atiku’s calls for action.
