Tinubu Rejected Calls to Sack Minister Umahi Over Nurse's Death, Official Says

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu rebuffed attempts to have him dismissed from his ministerial position in the wake of the controversial death of a nurse, Mary Habila, at his Uburu residence in Ebonyi State. Habila, who was attached to Umahi, was reportedly brought to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital already deceased on June 27.

Speaking at an event, Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi, recounted how many individuals tried to politicize the nurse's death, demanding his sack. "When people took the death of one of my staff and started playing politics with it, they said the president should sack me, but the president surprised all of them and said, ‘Dave, go and build more roads,’" he said, according to a video circulating on social media.

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When people took the death of one of my staff and started playing politics with it, they said the president should sack me, but the president surprised all of them and said, ‘Dave, go and build more roads’

Umahi, who turned 63 in July, stated that he canceled his birthday celebrations as a mark of respect for Habila and one of his uncles who passed away. He lamented that despite his mourning, some Nigerians continued to accuse him of involvement in the nurse's death. "My prayer is that if any member of my family or I had any hand in it, let our own fate be worse," he declared. "But for those who want to profit from it and play politics with it, if what they are saying is true, let it be well with them. Otherwise, the fate that befell the young lady will be worse for them."

The incident has been under scrutiny since June 27, when Habila reportedly died under unclear circumstances within Umahi's residence in Uburu. Habila was part of the medical team accompanying the minister. Umahi had previously denied any cover-up, stating the incident was reported to the police. He had also requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death for the 26-year-old nurse. However, Habila's family opposed the autopsy, setting a burial date, while the police insisted on proceeding. The police spokesperson in Ebonyi confirmed they were awaiting the family's presence for the autopsy, assuring a thorough and impartial investigation.

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My prayer is that if any member of my family or I had any hand in it, let our own fate be worse. But for those who want to profit from it and play politics with it, if what they are saying is true, let it be well with them. Otherwise, the fate that befell the young lady will be worse for them.