Buhari, National Assembly, governors, others mourn Mantu

President Muhammadu Buhari, a Senate caucus and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, have condoled with the family of former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, who passed on yesterday morning.

Also, Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue State), Simon Lalong (Plateau) together with other personalities and groups joined in mourning the renowned politician.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, the President prayed for the repose of the departed soul.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death.

The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, stated in Abuja yesterday that the death robbed the country of a consummate democrat and patriot.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Lanre Lasisi, prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, described Mantu’s demise as a painful loss to Nigeria, while praying to God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Lalong expressed shock over Mantu’s death, describing it as a great loss to the state and country at large.

The Plateau governor said he received the news of the elder statesman’s demise with a heavy heart, recalling his enormous contribution to the socio-political development of the state and the country.

However, the leader of the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, described Mantu as a patriot, who played a vital role in the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.

It noted: “The caucus is saddened as Mantu’s death took everyone unawares, especially coming at a time the country in dire need of his wealth of experience as a political leader and hard-line democrat.”

Similarly, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) paid tribute to the former DSP on the pioneering role he played towards its establishment.

The Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said NILDS “remains grateful to Mantu” for the role he played as chairman of the Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP), the capacity building project for the National Assembly, which metamorphosed into NILDS.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also described Mantu’s demise as a great loss.

HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated yesterday in Abuja: “The late senator 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.”