Tinubu Refuses to Sack Minister Amid Controversy Over Nurse's Death

The death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the medical team of Minister of Works, David Umahi, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for his removal from office.

Umahi was reacting to the controversy in a video released on X on Monday, where he stated that the President had refused to yield to the calls for his removal. According to Umahi, President Tinubu surprised everyone by saying, 'Dave, go and build more roads.'

Umahi also expressed sorrow over Habila's death, describing it as a painful experience that affected him deeply. He instructed his supporters across the world not to organise any celebration for his recent birthday as a mark of respect for the deceased.

'Power and might don't belong to social media, it belongs to God,' the minister said.

However, the Incorporated Trustees of the Southern Kaduna Peoples' United Associations (SOKAPU) had instituted a N20 billion lawsuit against the minister, alleging a breach of duty of care while Habila was under his custody.

Umahi requested that the Ebonyi State Police Command conduct an autopsy to establish the exact cause of Habila's death. He also directed that her remains should not be released to the family until the post-mortem examination was completed. However, Habila's family rejected the request, insisting that no autopsy should be carried out and demanding that she be buried in accordance with their wishes.

David Umahi, 64, is a Nigerian politician and current Minister of Works. He was born in Ebonyi State and rose to prominence as the governor of the state from 2015 to 2023. Umahi has been a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2015 and was appointed as the Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023.

The controversy surrounding Habila's death has raised concerns about the welfare of medical personnel attached to high-ranking government officials. The Nigerian government has been criticized in the past for its handling of medical emergencies involving high-ranking officials.

The incident has also sparked a debate on social media about the role of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing government decisions.

With this latest development, the focus shifts to how this controversy will unfold and what it means for the Nigerian government's handling of medical emergencies involving high-ranking officials.

Umahi has been a key figure in the Tinubu administration, and his removal would have significant implications for the government's infrastructure projects. However, it remains to be seen whether President Tinubu will eventually yield to the calls for Umahi's removal.