Umahi rejects calls for his sack after staffer's death, cites Tinubu's support

Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed calls for his removal from office after the death of his staffer Mary Habila at his residence in June. In a circulating video from Monday, Umahi said President Bola Tinubu told him to continue building roads across the country and not to sack him, questioning why anyone should be removed simply because a worker under them dies. He expressed surprise that the worker's death was being politicized, noting that investigations into the incident are still ongoing and no outcome has been released.

The incident matters because it highlights tensions between demands for accountability and political loyalty. Public calls for Umahi’s sacking reflected concerns over oversight of officials’ private conduct and whether the administration shields allies from scrutiny. The unresolved investigation leaves questions about transparency and how the government handles misconduct allegations involving senior officials.

Citizens should monitor the investigation’s findings for any accountability measures and consider how loyalty versus accountability shapes governance. The outcome could affect public trust in the administration’s commitment to rule of law and whether similar incidents will be handled impartially moving forward.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/03/what-tinubu-told-me-amid-calls-for-my-sack-umahi/