Habila’s Death: Ohanaeze Urges Calm, Rejects Calls For Works Minister’s Resignation

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Senator Azuta Mbata, has expressed sadness over the tragic death of Miss Mary Habila, a member of the medical support team attached to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze appealed for calm while opposing calls for the resignation of Engr David Umahi.

“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and loved ones over this painful and irreparable loss. The death of such a young and promising Nigerian is a tragedy to all men and women of good conscience.

“We pray that Almighty God grants her eternal rest and gives her family the strength and fortitude to bear this heartbreaking loss.

“This unfortunate incident involves the loss of a human life and, as such, deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and compassion. It is therefore imperative that all Nigerians exercise restraint and avoid actions or utterances capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation or causing unnecessary public anxiety,” the organisation stated.

They also urged political actors, pressure groups and commentators to desist from politicising the unfortunate incident.

According to the statement, matters involving the loss of human life should never be exploited for political advantage or sectional interests.

“Such conduct neither serves the cause of justice nor honours the memory of the deceased. We note that the Honourable Minister of Works has publicly called for an autopsy and an investigation to establish the true cause and circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s death.

“This is a responsible position that should be encouraged, as every suspicious or unexplained death deserves a thorough, professional and transparent investigation in accordance with the law.

“Accordingly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide fully supports the ongoing investigation by the relevant authorities and expects that it will be conducted impartially, professionally and without interference. The outcome of such an investigation should be guided solely by facts, scientific evidence and due process.

“In the same vein, we consider the calls in some quarters for the resignation or stepping aside of the Honourable Minister of Works to be premature, unnecessary and without sufficient justification at this stage.

“The mere fact that a death occurred within the premises where an individual resides or is present does not, in itself, establish culpability or warrant demands for resignation. Such an unfortunate occurrence could happen in any person’s home or environment, and responsibility can only be determined through a credible investigation based on evidence.”

The organisation further said Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law and the constitutional principle that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. I

“It would therefore be inconsistent with the ideals of justice and fairness to impose political consequences before the relevant authorities have concluded their investigations and established the facts.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide therefore called on all Nigerians to remain calm, allow the investigative process to run its full course, and refrain from speculative narratives capable of undermining public confidence in the nation’s institutions or prejudicing the search for the truth.