The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to resign from office over the controversial death of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Mary Habila.

The group insisted that he cannot remain in public office while facing calls for a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National President, Isah Abubakar, the group also demanded Umahi’s immediate suspension from office and urged the Nigeria Police Force to take the minister into custody for questioning over the incident.

The NYCN warned that it would embark on nationwide protests if the Federal Government failed to act within seven days, saying its demands were “non-negotiable.”

According to Abubakar, the group was acting in solidarity with civil society groups across the country and insisted that an independent and transparent autopsy be conducted to establish the actual cause of Habila’s death.

“While we acknowledge the Minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we reject any investigation conducted under his influence or within facilities tied to his administration,” Abubakar stated.

“We demand an independent, internationally witnessed autopsy to scientifically determine the exact cause of Mary Habila’s death, specifically checking for signs of physical violence, sexual assault, or forced substance ingestion.”

The group said it was “deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged” by what it described as the “highly suspicious circumstances” surrounding Habila’s death.

“The leadership of NYCN, representing millions of young people across the nineteen northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, under the leadership of Comrade Isah Abubakar, National President, is deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged by the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden demise of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Miss Mary Habila,” Abubakar stated.

The group recalled that reports in the public domain indicated that Habila died inside Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

“Reports that have saturated the public space indicate that Mary Habila lost her life within the private residence of the current Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State,” the group said.

“Even more disturbing are the leaked details and graphic allegations suggesting she was discovered lifeless, naked, with visible physical trauma on her face.”

According to the group, the circumstances surrounding the death require an immediate and transparent criminal investigation.

“A healthy, vibrant 26-year-old young woman doesn’t simply drop dead under such conditions. Under any functional system of law, a death occurring under the roof of a high-profile political figure warrants immediate police detention, questioning, and an uncompromised, transparent criminal inquiry,” Abubakar stated.

“Yet, because of the deeply skewed nature of justice in our nation, we’re witnessing a narrative delay that attempts to sweep this tragedy under the rug.”

The group further warned that it would mobilise protests across major cities if the Federal Government failed to suspend the minister and commence what it described as a credible investigation.

“If the Federal Government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate a credible, uncompromised prosecution process within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, in active partnership with allied Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and youth structures across the federation, will mobilise and shut down major public spaces in continuous, nationwide protests,” the group added.

“We will occupy the streets of Abuja, Kaduna, and Ebonyi State in daily, unrelenting protests until Umahi resigns or is removed to face the full wrath of the law.

“We won’t sit by and watch the life of another young, promising Nigerian woman be reduced to a footnote of political cover-ups.”

The NYCN’s demands come amid growing public outrage over the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, with several groups calling for an independent investigation to determine the cause of the incident.