Former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has criticised the seven-day ultimatum issued by the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and allied groups demanding the resignation of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over the death of Miss Mary Habila.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Onoh described Habila’s death as tragic but insisted that justice should be based on a thorough police investigation, credible evidence and due process rather than political pressure.

He argued that the NYCN’s ultimatum and threat of nationwide protests amounted to a rush to judgment before investigators had concluded their work.

“The rush to judgment, issuance of ultimatums, and threats of mass protests before the conclusion of police investigations or an independent autopsy trivialise the death of the young woman and undermine the rule of law,” Onoh said.

He maintained that neither public officials nor private citizens should be presumed guilty based on media reports, social media narratives or unverified allegations, adding that due process requires a comprehensive police investigation, forensic analysis of evidence, an independent autopsy involving the deceased’s family and judicial determination of any criminal liability.

Onoh said Umahi had publicly supported an independent autopsy and insisted that the investigation should proceed without political interference.

He also sought to clarify reports about the deceased, stating that Habila worked as a nurse attached to the minister and his staff, contrary to reports identifying her as a physiotherapist.

According to him, she died at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, after which family members reported the incident to the police and she was taken to a teaching hospital in an effort to revive her.

Onoh warned that attempts to pressure authorities through protests and political demands before the completion of investigations could affect evidence and witness testimony.

“What should be a solemn criminal investigation is gradually being transformed into a political spectacle,” he said.

He further alleged that opposition interests were using the incident to target Umahi and the Federal Government.

“This is not justice; it is politics with the dead,” he said.

The former presidential spokesman also accused the NYCN and allied groups of applying double standards, arguing that similar campaigns had not been launched in previous cases involving Northern political figures or major national tragedies.

According to him, Southeast groups have traditionally allowed law enforcement agencies and the courts to determine culpability instead of mounting ethnic or regional pressure.

“The selective intensity with which a Southeast minister is now being targeted, while comparable or even graver situations elsewhere attracted no similar campaigns, exposes the political motivation behind these actions rather than any principled concern for justice or the protection of vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.

Onoh urged the youth groups to withdraw their ultimatum and support an independent investigation into Habila’s death.

“Minister Umahi cannot—and must not—be pronounced guilty through social media trials, viral campaigns, or politically sponsored narratives. Nigeria’s justice system does not operate through ultimatums or street protests that seek to bypass evidence and due process,” he said.

He added: “The family of Mary Habila deserves the truth and justice, not political exploitation. Any attempt to politicise this tragedy will ultimately be recognised for what it is—divisive opportunism that serves no one, least of all the memory of the deceased.

“Let due process prevail. Nigeria needs unity in the pursuit of justice, not division driven by politics.”