The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to launch an independent investigation into the death of physiotherapist Mary Habila, who was found dead at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also asked Umahi to step aside while the investigation is ongoing.

The party said the death of a citizen inside the home of a serving minister is a serious matter that requires transparency and accountability. It added that questions about why Habila was at the residence and what led to her death have not been answered.

The statement said: “We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive.”

The party also demanded that the inquiry include “a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings.”

According to the ADC, an investigation carried out outside the influence of the Executive is the only way to establish the facts and restore public confidence.

The opposition party accused the Tinubu administration of protecting top government officials from proper scrutiny whenever controversies arise.

Abdullahi said: “The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability.”

The ADC insisted that Umahi should temporarily leave office while the investigation is conducted.

It stated: “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.”

The party warned that failure to ensure accountability would strengthen public belief that senior government officials are shielded from investigation. It also expressed condolences to Habila’s family and called for a transparent investigation, with the findings made public.

Habila’s death has drawn national attention after reports said she died under unclear circumstances at Umahi’s residence in Ebonyi State.

The Ebonyi State Police Command has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while the cause of her death is yet to be confirmed.

Umahi has denied any wrongdoing and said there was no attempt to cover up the incident.

He explained that Habila was among medical personnel attached to the Federal Ministry of Works and said he advised her family to approve an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have also called for an independent investigation.

The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State, has declared Umar Suleiman Madaki as the lawful candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Jalingo I state constituency ahead of the forthcoming election.

Justice Mashkur Salisu delivered the judgment on Wednesday in Suit No. FHC/CS/23/2026, resolving a dispute that arose from the party’s primary election.

Madaki had approached the court after alleging that, although he emerged winner of the ADC primary election, he was denied the party’s ticket. He sued the party’s declared candidate, Shamsuddeen Inuwa Muhammad, the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In his ruling, Justice Salisu declared the nomination of Shamsuddeen Inuwa Muhammad “unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect,” holding that only a candidate who emerged through a lawful primary election is entitled to recognition by the electoral body.

The court consequently declared Madaki the winner of the ADC primary election for Jalingo I state constituency and affirmed him as the party’s substantive candidate for the election.

The court also ordered INEC to immediately recognise and publish Madaki’s name as the duly nominated ADC candidate. In addition, it directed the ADC to forward his name to the electoral commission as its authentic candidate for the constituency.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Milkman Karel, described the verdict as a victory for due process, internal party democracy and the rule of law.

He said the judgment reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that political parties adhere to their constitutions and the provisions of the Electoral Act in the conduct of primary elections.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, has raised the alarm over an alleged N130billion airport project in the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

A statement by the APC Governorship Campaign Council described the reported increase in the contract sum from N99.5 billion to about N130 billion as criminal.

The council questioned the rationale behind the reported upward review of the project’s cost and called on the Ademola Adeleke administration to provide a detailed account of the expenditure.

The opposition party also raised concerns over reports that a substantial portion of the revised contract sum had already been paid.

According to the APC, the reported cost of the airport project exceeded the combined 2025 budgetary allocations to key sectors of the state’s economy, adding that the continued non-publication of the financial documents had fuelled public suspicion over the management of state resources.

“The recent allegations concerning the Ede Airport project, that Sowie Tee is owned by a close associate of Dr Deji Adeleke, governor’s elder brother, and that the project is a conduit pipe to steal Osun money, further underscore why the state government should immediately make these financial records available for public examination.

“If the administration has nothing to hide, it should publish all relevant financial documents and provide a comprehensive breakdown of payments made on the airport project, the stage of execution, and the basis for the reported variation in contract cost.

“The hide-and-seek posturing of the state government regarding its financials gives troubling credence to the security report at our disposal that Governor Adeleke is bent on the white elephant project in Ede because his government is relying on the project fund for vote buying during the forthcoming governorship election,” the statement read.