•Late Mary Habila and David Umahi
The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for the immediate suspension and resignation of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Mary Habila, in his house.
The group threatened nationwide protests if its demands are not met within seven days, reports The Guardian.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Isah Abubakar, the group said Umahi should step aside to allow what it described as an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
The council also urged the Nigeria Police Force to question the minister and called for an independent autopsy.
Abubakar said: “While we acknowledge the minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we reject any investigation conducted under his influence or within facilities tied to his administration.
“We demand an independent, internationally witnessed autopsy to scientifically determine the exact cause of Mary Habila’s death —specifically checking for signs of physical violence, sexual assault, or forced substance ingestion.”
According to the statement, the council is deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged by the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The leadership of NYCN, representing millions of young people across the nineteen northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, under the leadership of Comrade Isah Abubakar, National President, is deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged by the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden demise of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Miss Mary Habila.
“Reports that have saturated the public space indicate that Mary Habila lost her life within the private residence of the current Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State. Even more disturbing are the leaked details and graphic allegations suggesting she was discovered lifeless, naked, with visible physical trauma on her face.
“A healthy, vibrant 26-year-old young woman doesn’t simply drop dead under such conditions. Under any functional system of law, a death occurring under the roof of a high-profile political figure warrants immediate police detention, questioning, and an uncompromised, transparent criminal inquiry.
“Yet, because of the deeply skewed nature of justice in our nation, we’re witnessing a narrative delay that attempts to sweep this tragedy under the rug.”
The group warned that it would embark on nationwide demonstrations if the federal government failed to suspend the minister and commence what it described as a credible investigation within seven days.
Abubakar said: “If the federal government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate a credible, uncompromised prosecution process within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, in active partnership with allied Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and youth structures across the federation, will mobilise and shut down major public spaces in continuous, nationwide protests.
“We’ll occupy the streets of Abuja, Kaduna, and Ebonyi State in daily, unrelenting protests until Umahi resigns or is removed to face the full wrath of the law. We won’t sit by and watch the life of another young, promising Nigerian woman reduced to a footnote of political cover-ups,” the group said.
