ABUJA — Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has rejected calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the suspension and resignation of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over the death of Miss Mary Habila, insisting that due process must take precedence over political pressure.

In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Deputy Secretary General, Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation described the demands for Umahi’s resignation as premature, politically motivated and inconsistent with the principles of justice and fairness.

The group maintained that while the death of Mary Habila, a nurse who reportedly died at the staff quarters of the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was tragic and deserving of a thorough investigation, no individual should be subjected to public condemnation before the conclusion of official inquiries.

Ohanaeze argued that political leaders and interest groups should refrain from making prejudicial statements capable of undermining ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies.

The organisation said Senator Umahi should not be pressured into resigning while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, stressing that the rule of law must prevail over emotions and political considerations.

The group also criticised what it described as selective outrage in national discourse, alleging that some political actors had remained silent over previous cases involving the loss of innocent lives but were now quick to demand political sanctions in the present case.

It cited the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto, questioning what it called the inconsistency in public reactions to different national tragedies.

According to Ohanaeze, every Nigerian life deserves equal protection and justice, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation, warning against the use of tragic incidents as tools for political contest.

The organisation further urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, northern youth groups and other stakeholders to allow security agencies to carry out their investigations without interference.

It expressed condolences to the family of the late Mary Habila, particularly her father, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, the people of Southern Kaduna and Senator Umahi, describing the incident as a painful loss that requires compassion and a commitment to uncovering the truth.

Ohanaeze also commended the Minister of Works for supporting the conduct of an autopsy to establish the cause of death, maintaining that justice can only be achieved through credible evidence and lawful investigative procedures.

While acknowledging reports that the deceased’s family had reservations about an autopsy on cultural grounds, the organisation insisted that every legal step necessary to establish the facts should be pursued.

Reaffirming its confidence in Nigeria’s investigative institutions, Ohanaeze called on political leaders and youth organisations across the country to avoid exploiting the incident for partisan purposes.

The group maintained that only a transparent, impartial and evidence-based investigation would guarantee justice for the deceased and preserve public confidence in the country’s legal process.

The statement was signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General, and Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, Deputy Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.