The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has dismissed calls for the resignation of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, following the tragic death of Miss Mary Habila, describing the demands as premature and legally unjustified.
In a statement issued on Friday in Enugu, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, maintained that there is currently no sufficient justification to warrant political consequences for the minister.
Call for Caution and Restraint
Expressing deep sadness over the incident, Chukwu extended the group’s heartfelt condolences to Habila’s family, friends, and colleagues. However, he urged the public to exercise maximum restraint and avoid speculative narratives that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or trigger unnecessary public anxiety.
The group strongly cautioned political actors, pressure groups, and commentators against exploiting the loss of human life for sectional or political gains.
“The mere fact that death occurred within the premises where an individual resides or is present does not, in itself, establish culpability or warrant demands for resignation,” Chukwu stated.
“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.”
Support for Independent Forensic Investigation
Ohanaeze commended Senator Umahi for his transparency in calling for a comprehensive forensic autopsy and a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The organisation threw its weight behind the relevant authorities handling the case, outlining its expectations for the process:
Impartiality: The inquiry must be conducted professionally and completely free of external interference.
Evidence-Based: The final outcome must be guided strictly by facts, scientific evidence, and due process.
Presumption of Innocence: As a nation governed by the rule of law, Nigeria’s constitutional principle that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty must be respected.
Seeking Justice Through Due Process
Chukwu concluded by calling for calm, urging Nigerians to allow the justice system to run its full course rather than jumping to political conclusions.
The group expressed firm optimism that a thorough, science-backed investigation would ultimately uncover the truth, provide Miss Habila’s family with the definitive answers they deserve, and ensure that justice is served.
