Dr. Sam Amadi, a political analyst and head of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, claims Minister of Works David Umahi acted inappropriately by discussing the death of Mary Habila publicly. Amadi asserts that the police should have been the primary source of information regarding the incident.
During a segment on Arise Television, the former NERC chairman labeled the situation an ethical and public relations catastrophe. He suggested that when government officials face grave accusations, they should resign temporarily to ensure an impartial probe. Furthermore, he argued that President Bola Tinubu bears the responsibility to ensure his ministers remain accountable in such instances.
Amadi highlighted that as the person in closest proximity to the 26-year-old deceased nurse, Umahi should have approached law enforcement first rather than organizing media briefings. By hosting press conferences, Amadi believes the minister is potentially interfering with the integrity of the investigation. He also dismissed the significance of an affidavit supposedly signed by the victim’s family, suggesting it bears the hallmarks of a potential cover-up.
Finally, Amadi censured the Nigeria Police Force for their lack of transparency, noting that the silence of their public relations team only fuels public suspicion. He concluded by criticizing the current administration for its apparent disregard for ethical standards and lack of commitment to public accountability.
