Umahi Reveals Tinubu’s Private Advice Amid Growing Calls For His Removal

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu encouraged him to remain focused on delivering infrastructure projects despite public calls for his removal following the death of a staff member linked to the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi made the remarks while speaking with journalists on Monday, weeks after the death of Mary Habila, a ministry employee who died in June at the minister’s private residence. The incident attracted widespread public attention and sparked intense debate on social media.

Following Habila’s death, questions were raised about the circumstances surrounding the incident, with some Nigerians calling for Umahi’s dismissal while investigations into the matter continued.

Responding to the criticism, the minister alleged that the tragedy had been politicised by some individuals seeking to exploit the situation.

According to Umahi, rather than yielding to demands for his removal, President Tinubu urged him to remain committed to his responsibilities and continue overseeing road construction projects across the country.

He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering critical infrastructure, saying he would not be distracted from his assignment.

However, the minister did not comment on the ongoing investigation into Habila’s death or provide any fresh details regarding the case.

“Power and might don’t belong to social media, it belongs to God.

“When people took the death of one of my staff and started playing politics with it, they said the president should sack me, but the president surprised all of them and said, ‘Dave, go and build more roads.’”