President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly rejected calls from some Nigerians demanding the removal of Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, following controversy surrounding the death of a nurse, Mary Habila, who was attached to the minister’s medical team. Umahi disclosed that rather than dismiss him, President Tinubu encouraged him to remain focused on his responsibilities.
According to the minister, some individuals called on the President to sack him after the incident, but Tinubu chose not to act on the demands. Umahi said the President urged him to continue his work, particularly in delivering infrastructure projects across the country.
The controversy followed the death of Mary Habila, which attracted public attention and led to legal action by the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU). The group reportedly filed a lawsuit against Umahi, alleging concerns over the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death while she was in his custody.
Umahi explained that the situation was being politicised by some individuals who wanted to use the incident to damage his reputation and push for his removal from office. He maintained that he remained committed to his duties as Minister of Works and would continue working to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria.
The minister also revealed that he cancelled celebrations marking his birthday as a sign of respect for the deceased nurse and her family. He expressed sadness over the incident and prayed that the truth would be revealed through proper investigations.
Since his appointment as Minister of Works, Umahi has been overseeing several major road construction and rehabilitation projects under the Tinubu administration. His supporters have continued to highlight his focus on improving the quality and speed of infrastructure delivery across the country.
The development has generated discussions among political observers, with some arguing that public officials should be held accountable whenever controversies arise, while others believe allegations should be properly investigated before any administrative action is taken.
Analysts say President Tinubu’s decision not to remove Umahi reflects the administration’s approach of allowing investigations and due process to guide decisions involving government officials. They noted that ministerial appointments often come with public scrutiny, especially when officials are involved in sensitive matters.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for transparency and fairness in handling the issue. They stressed the importance of allowing relevant authorities to complete their investigations while ensuring that justice is served for all parties involved.
The controversy surrounding Umahi comes as the Tinubu administration continues efforts to implement major infrastructure programmes across the country. Political watchers say the matter will remain under public attention as Nigerians await further developments regarding the investigation and legal proceedings.
For now, Umahi remains in office as Minister of Works, with the President’s reported decision indicating continued confidence in his ability to perform his official duties.
