The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of cover-up in allegations against members of his government and demanded an independent investigation into the death of a physiotherapist, Mary Habila, who was reportedly founded dead in the house of Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said this in a statement posted on Wednesday on his X account @bolajiADC in reaction to report of Ms. Habila’s death.
The ADC said it was deeply disturbed by the unresolved circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Ms. Habila, who reportedly died within the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi
“This case must also be viewed against an increasingly disturbing pattern in this scandal-prone government of APC under President Bola Tinubu.
“Time and again, whenever serious allegations arise around members of the administration, the default instinct of government is not to facilitate independent scrutiny but to build a wall of political protection around its own.
“Appointees of President Tinubu sit pretty in their offices even as mind-blowing scandals swirl around them,” the ADC said.
The party said that least that should be expected was that the minister, Senator Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation, insisting that the minister’s continued stay in office would mean that President Tinubu’s administration was protecting him.
“Even in a blood-soaked country, human life remains sacrosanct. Therefore, a minister of Federal Republic cannot have a murder-related scandal hanging on his neck and still carry on with business as usual.
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to insist on this elementary principle, then Nigerians will be left with only one conclusion: that his administration has become a Cabinet of Cover-ups, where political convenience consistently takes precedence over transparency and accountability.”
Maintaining that every Nigerian life matters, the ADC said that when a citizen dies in the home of a serving cabinet minister, the matter immediately transcends private tragedy and becomes a question of public accountability.
According to the party, the only acceptable response in a constitutional democracy is a thorough, transparent and independent investigation that commands public confidence.
Pointing out that the explanations offered so far have done little to answer the questions that continue to trouble Nigerians, the ADC raised some questions that must be asked to prise open the mystery box surrounding Ms. Habila’s death.
“What exactly was the nature of Ms. Habila’s official assignment? Why was she residing in the Minister’s private residence?
“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.”
Autopsy
Calling for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive, the ADC said such enquiry “must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings.”
The party said that would be the only way to “ensure that Justice is done; and it is seen to be done. Anything less will only deepen public suspicion and further erode confidence in our institutions.”
The ADC expressed concern that the administration of President Tinubu appeared eager to defend reputations through official statements rather than establish facts and submit to accountability.
“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability.
“Official statements are deployed laden with presumptions and bias, even before independent inquiries have even begun.
“It has now become impossible to ignore the impression that this administration now operates a system of scandal insurance for its senior officials, and proximity to power appears to guarantee protection from accountability.”
One scandal too many
Noting that the reported death of Ms.Habila in the house of a minister “is one scandal too many,” the ADC said that it is not just financial crime, but involved the death of a citizen.
“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.”
Extending condolences to the family of the late Ms. Habila, the ADC said 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 stated.
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