Coalition Withdraws Protest, Backs Minister Umahi's Leadership

The Gender, Social Justice, Good Governance Coalition (GFSJGG), alongside 300 civil society organizations, has formally withdrawn its planned nationwide protest concerning the death of Mari Habila. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to due process and the rule of law while expressing confidence in the leadership of Minister David Umahi.

This decision was announced by Dr. Jumok Adebiyi, the national coordinator of GFSJGG, during a press conference in Abuja. The coalition's earlier decision to mobilize for a peaceful protest was based on long-standing commitments to justice and human rights.

However, following an independent fact-finding exercise, which included consultations and assessments in Ebonyi State, the coalition concluded that there was no basis to hold Minister Umahi accountable for Habila's death. The coalition emphasized the importance of presuming innocence until proven guilty and urged Nigerians to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations without external pressure.