By Desire Emmanuel
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, July 15, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of running what it described as a “government of cover-ups.”
The party added that it was disturbed by the circumstances surrounding the death of a lady described as a ‘physiotherapist, Ms. Mary Habila, who reportedly died within the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The ADC said these in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, as it demanded for an independent investigation into the incident.
The party said: “The explanations offered so far have done little to answer the questions that continue to trouble Nigerians.
“What exactly was the nature of Ms. Habila’s official assignment? Why was she residing in the minister’s private residence? What were the precise circumstances leading to her death? What have investigators established so far? These are legitimate questions that can only be answered by facts and evidence, not assurances.
“We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive. This inquiry must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings.
“This is the only way to ensure that Justice is done; and it is seen to be done. Anything less will only deepen public suspicion and further erode confidence in our institutions.
“This case must also be viewed against an increasingly disturbing pattern in this scandal-prone government of APC under President Bola Tinubu.
“Time and again, whenever serious allegations arise around members of the administration, the default instinct of government is not to facilitate independent scrutiny but to build a wall of political protection around its own. Appointees of President Tinubu sit pretty in their offices even as mind-blowing scandals swirl around them.
“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability. Official statements are deployed laden with presumptions and bias even before independent inquiries have even begun.
“It has now become impossible to ignore the impression that this administration now operates a system of scandal insurance for its senior officials, and proximity to power appears to guarantee protection from accountability.
“But this is one scandal too many. This latest scandal is not just about financial crime, it is about the death of a young lady who reportedly died in the house of a senior minister of this government. The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation.
“Even in a blood-soaked country, human life remains sacrosanct. Therefore, a minister of Federal Republic cannot have a murder-related scandal hanging on his neck and still carry on with business as usual.
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to insist on this elementary principle, then Nigerians will be left with only one conclusion: that his administration has become a cabinet of cover-ups, where political convenience consistently takes precedence over transparency and accountability.”
