By Precious Mark
The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly demanded an independent, transparent, and non-executive-led investigation into the tragic and unresolved death of Ms. Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who reportedly died in the private country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Ebonyi State.
The demand was made public on Wednesday in a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding the death of the young professional, arguing that when a citizen dies in the private residence of a serving cabinet minister, the tragedy immediately elevates to a matter of critical public accountability.
Habila, an employee of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works for the past three years before her sudden demise on June 27, 2026.
Reacting to the explanation offered by Senator Umahi who stated that Habila’s family forced open her locked room when she became unresponsive and that emergency services were immediately called, the ADC insisted that the narrative leaves too many critical questions unanswered.
“What exactly was the nature of Ms. Habila’s official assignment? Why was she residing in the Minister’s private residence?” the ADC queried.
“What were the precise circumstances leading to her death? What have investigators established so far? These are legitimate questions that can only be answered by facts and evidence, not assurances,” the ADC added.
The opposition party further demanded that the Minister of Works immediately step aside from his cabinet position to allow a completely unbiased investigation to take place without executive interference.
“This latest scandal is not just about financial crime; it is about the death of a young lady who reportedly died in the house of a senior Minister of this government.”
“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement read.
The ADC also directed strong criticism at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the presidency of running a Cabinet of Cover-ups and operating what it described as a system of scandal insurance for high-ranking political appointees.
According to the party, the default reaction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government whenever serious allegations emerge around senior officials has consistently been to shield them rather than facilitate open, external scrutiny.
“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability.”
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to insist on this elementary principle [of stepping aside], then Nigerians will be left with only one conclusion: that his administration has become a Cabinet of Cover-ups,” the Party is quoted as saying.
While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, the ADC maintained that it will join other progressive forces in ensuring that the tragedy is not swept under the rug.
“The ADC extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mary Habila. Their daughter deserves dignity. Her family deserves the truth. And Nigeria deserves a government that understands that accountability is not an inconvenience to be managed but the very foundation of public trust,” the party concluded.