President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the family of former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, who died Monday evening in Abuja at the age of 74.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the President also commiserated with the people of Plateau State and National Assembly (NASS), the two constituencies that Mantu served during his lifetime.
The statement said; “President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with family of former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, joining Plateau State government and indigenes in mourning the passing of the renowned politician.
“President Buhari commiserates with leaders and members of the National Assembly, friends and political associates of the former Deputy Senate President, who dedicated most of his life to service of his people.
“The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed, believing his legacy of reconciliation and promotion of peaceful co-existence will always be remembered, especially in bringing more harmony in his state and the country at large.”
Similarly, in his condolence message, Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong described Mantu’s death as a great loss to the State.
According to him; “Late Senator Nasiru Mantu was a grassroots politician whose life was all about the interest of the people as he did everything within his power to serve them through empowerment and quality representation.
“He earned his place in Nigerian politics by active involvements and also had a great connection with the youth whom he mentored not only in politics but in other fields, especially service to humanity”.
Governor Lalong said the State will miss the voice of peace and unity as well as an advocate of social cohesion and tolerance, which the late Deputy Senate represented particularly during the trying moments of its history.
A statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, said Governor Lalong condoled with the widow of the deceased, his children, people of Pyem Chiefdom, and the entire state over the death of the late political leader.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT), North Central People’s Forum LT. Gen. Jeremiah Useni expressed shock and sadness over Mantu’s exit.
Senator Useni’s condolence message signed by his media aide, Hon YilJap Abraham, said: “It is, and will always be hard to look at Nigeria’s political landscape without the ever dignifying presence of Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu.
“He carried along a smile wherever he went; he communicated relevance whenever called upon and spoke peace into potentially divisive and hurtful situations. Senator Mantu served his community, Plateau, Nigeria, and indeed humanity with a style that was uniquely vigorous, patriotic, and productive.
“He gave his ears and heart when critical moments in our nation demanded his attention and counsel. He was a true ally to anyone advancing the course of truth and unity. May God Almighty comfort his family and strengthen all who had come to know and experience him in many fruitful ways.”
A family source said the late Plateau Central Senator died at a private hospital in Abuja after nine days of sickness and isolation around 2 am on Tuesday.
“He fell ill about nine days ago and was receiving treatment at home but he was rushed to the hospital when there was no sign of improvement,” the source said, adding that the funeral prayer would hold today in Abuja.
In 1999, he was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Plateau Central Constituency as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was elected Deputy Senate President in 2001 and held the position till 2007 when he failed in his return bid to the Senate.
He hailed from Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau and worked in various establishments before joining politics.
Before his demise, Mantu was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mantu served in many political positions, including the Director-General of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Presidential campaign 1993; National Chairman, defunct Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA); and National Publicity Secretary defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).
