Denge Josef Onoh, a former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has publicly denounced the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for demanding the resignation of Works Minister David Umahi. The NYCN had issued a seven-day ultimatum regarding the death of Mary Habila, a nurse employed by the minister’s office.
Speaking from Abuja, Onoh argued that the tragedy requires a neutral, professional police investigation rather than the current wave of politically motivated demands. He stated that the push for the minister’s resignation based on unverified narratives undermines the rule of law and the search for genuine justice.
Onoh highlighted that Minister Umahi has already expressed his support for an independent autopsy and a full investigation. According to Onoh, the deceased passed away at the minister’s Uburu residence in Ebonyi State, and family members were promptly notified before medical intervention was sought at a teaching hospital. He emphasized that the focus should remain on forensic evidence rather than public speculation.
The former presidential aide accused the NYCN of selective outrage, noting that the group failed to issue similar demands during various security crises in the North. He warned that using the incident to settle political scores against a Southeast official risks stoking regional tensions. Onoh concluded by urging the youth group to abandon their ultimatum and allow the legal process to determine the facts of the case.
