Senator wey represent Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, don join im colleagues for Senate to mourn former Senator Bello Mandiya. Kalu call the death of Mandiya loss to Katsina State and the whole country.
Mandiya die for Abuja last month at 62. He represent Katsina South for 9th Senate from 2019 to 2023 on All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. Before that, he serve as Chief of Staff to former Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
Kalu pay tribute at plenary wey Senate President Godswill Akpabio preside over. The tribute follow motion by Senator Dandutse Muntari, the man wey succeed Mandiya as Katsina South representative. Kalu voice carry emotion as e recall the relationship wey he and Mandiya share inside and outside National Assembly.
The former Abia governor describe Mandiya as man of integrity, moral uprightness and unwavering commitment to public service. He talk say Mandiya work as chief of staff and senator show dedication to the people he serve.
Kalu recall their time for 9th Senate. He say Mandiya stand im ground on matters of principle and integrity, but still friendly and no dey harbour grudge against anybody. Kalu talk say their relationship pass politics and parliamentary duty, and the late senator be more than colleague to am.
Kalu express shock over the death, reflect on how death must come, and urge im colleagues to remember say life no dey permanent. He send condolence to family, government and people of Katsina State, and pray make dem get strength to bear the loss. Kalu also express confidence say Mandiya legacy of integrity, cordial relationship and service to nation go endure and serve as reference for people wey wan enter public service.
For another account, Senator Abdul Ningi talk how Mandiya die after e slip for bathroom and hit im head. Ningi, wey represent Bauchi Central Senatorial District, talk say dem discover the body about 72 hours later inside im Abuja residence.
Ningi tell Senate plenary say neighbours discover the lifeless body after foul smell start to come from the apartment and residents begin worry about im long absence. He talk say he dey Saudi Arabia when im son call am to tell am about Mandiya death. Im son na one of the people wey discover the former lawmaker body on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Ningi recount say a colleague last see Mandiya around 11am on Friday, September 4, before the former senator return to im residence, where he live alone. According to am, Mandiya dey prepare to attend Friday congregational prayer when e reportedly slip and hit im head after bathing.
He quote: ‘He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath. After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom.’ Ningi talk say nobody realise wetin happen until stench from Mandiya apartment begin spread to neighbouring properties.
He tell Senate: ‘For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was.’ He talk say chief imam of Apo also raise alarm after he notice say Mandiya, wey dey join other Muslims for five daily prayers, no show for three consecutive days. The imam concern join with foul smell make residents go check the apartment.
Ningi talk say those wey go the residence break door open and find Mandiya body for bathroom. He quote: ‘And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy.’
Ningi express sadness over the circumstance of im colleague death. He talk say the incident show say life no sure and nobody fit predict when death go come. He also send condolence to Mandiya family, people of Katsina State and constituents wey he represent for Senate.
Dem elect am for 2019 on APC platform to represent Katsina South Senatorial District, and he serve for ninth National Assembly until 2023. He also chair Senate Committee on Water.
