Former senator Bello Mandiya lay dead in the bathroom of his Abuja residence for about 72 hours after reportedly slipping and hitting his head, Senator Abdul Ningi has recounted, describing the incident as a painful reminder of life’s uncertainty.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, gave the account during Senate plenary on Tuesday, October 13. A video of his remarks circulated widely on Thursday.
He said Mandiya, who lived alone, was last seen by a colleague at about 11am on Friday, September 4, as he prepared to attend congregational prayers.
According to Ningi, the former lawmaker had taken out his cap and phones and placed them on his bed before entering the bathroom to bathe.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom,” Ningi said.
He explained that Mandiya’s absence went unnoticed for days until the chief imam of Apo became concerned that the former senator had missed prayers for three consecutive days.
Residents also reportedly became alarmed after a foul smell began coming from the apartment. Those who went to investigate eventually forced the door open and discovered Mandiya’s body in the bathroom.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” Ningi told the Senate.
The Bauchi senator said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of Mandiya’s death. His son was among those who found the former lawmaker’s body on September 7, 2026.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, used the account to reflect on the temporary nature of political office and material wealth.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said, while praying for the deceased and conveying his condolences to the family, the people of Katsina State and his former constituents.
Mandiya died aged 62. He represented Katsina South Senatorial District in the Ninth National Assembly from 2019 to 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Before his election to the Senate, he served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda had described his death as a major loss to the state and Nigeria, praising his contributions to public service.
“I received with shock and deep sadness the news of the death of Senator Bello Mandiya. His passing is a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria,” Radda said in a statement.
The Northern Senators Forum, comprising senators from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, also mourned the former lawmaker. In a condolence statement signed by its chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the forum described Mandiya as a committed administrator and legislator whose contributions would remain part of the political history of Katsina State and the Ninth Senate.
It said his years in Katsina politics reflected loyalty, political maturity and a commitment to public service, adding that he was a consensus-builder who valued consultation and dialogue.
The forum extended condolences to Mandiya’s family, the Katsina State Government, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and former colleagues, while praying for the repose of his soul.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North and is a former governor of Abia State, also paid tribute to Mandiya during Senate plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The tribute followed a motion sponsored by Senator Dandutse Muntari, who succeeded Mandiya as the representative of Katsina South.
Speaking emotionally, Kalu described the late senator as a man of integrity who stood by his principles while maintaining cordial relationships with colleagues and refusing to harbour grudges.
He said their relationship went beyond parliamentary duties, describing Mandiya as more than a colleague. Kalu expressed shock at his death and offered condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Katsina State.
Mandiya’s death also drew tributes from political leaders and former colleagues, who have remembered him for his years in public service at both state and federal levels.
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