Former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu dies in isolation
A former Deputy President, Ibrahim Mantu, , is dead, according to a family source, who confirmed the demise to the media.
The source said the ex-deputy Senate President died at about 2am on Tuesday at a private hospital in Abuja after nine days of sickness and isolation.
“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 later on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Mantu was one of the notable figures in the nation’s political landscape for many years.
In 2000, he was elected Deputy Senate President under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a position he held till 2007 when he did not return to the senate.
Mantu, who hails from Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, worked in various establishments before joining politics
In the meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong, has mourned the former deputy senate president, describing the death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria at large.
Lalong said he received the news of the demise of the elder statesman and erudite politician with a heavy heart, recalling his enormous contributions to the socio-political development of the State and the nation at large.
“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,” the governor was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesman, Makut Simon Macham.
“He earned his place in Nigerian politics by active involvement and also had a great connection with the youth whom he mentored not only in politics but in other fields, especially service to humanity.”
Until his death, Governor Lalong explained that the deceased availed the state government of his wealth of experience and knowledge in running the affairs of the people.
He said that 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.”