Lawan, Mark, Omo-Agege Commiserate with Plateau over Mantu’s Demise

By Deji Elumoye

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan; former Senate President, Senator David Mark; and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have commiserated with the Mantu family as well as the Plateau State Government over the passage of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu.

In separate condolence messages on Tuesday, the trio eulogised the late former ranking senator who they described as a brilliant politician of repute in the Fourth Republic.

In his message, Lawan commiserated with the friends and political associates of the former senator, as well as the government and entire people of Plateau State over the huge loss.

He said: “Mantu had a brilliant political career which he capped with the quality representation he provided the people of Plateau Central District as their two-term senator between 1999 and 2007.

“As Deputy Senate President, Mantu played the role with great energy and finesse, which earned him the respect and admiration of his colleague distinguished senators.

“The former Deputy Senate President lived a life of service to his people and to the entire nation. He left his imprints at the Senate, having served creditably well in his days at the Upper Chamber.”

On his part, the former President of the Senate, Senator Mark, expressed shock and sadness over the demise of Mantu, saying: “It is devastating and a loss to the political class.”

Mark lamented that the former senator died at a time when his wealth of experience, wisdom and services were most needed to navigate through the murky political terrain.

He said Mantu was a flamboyant leader who brought panache, character and sagacity to the political space.

According to him, “In Mantu, I have lost a friend, brother and compatriot who believed in the sanctity of our unity and ideals of nationhood.

“Mantu played a politics of inclusiveness, fairness, equity and justice. He was a politician who built bridges of understanding across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“He was a political leader of high repute. He stood to be counted when it mattered. His death is indeed one too many. He will sorely be missed. I am however consoled that Mantu lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.”

Also mourning, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege, expressed deep shock and sadness over the demise of a former lawmaker and elder statesman, Mantu.

In a condolence message, Omo-Agege saluted his patriotism and commitment to building a viral legislature, having served as Deputy President of the Senate from 2001 to 2007.

The ranking senator lauded Mantu’s commitment to meet the needs of his community as a two-term lawmaker, devotion to national development, stressing that his insightful contributions at the floor of the Senate would be fondly remembered.

He, therefore, sent his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Plateau State as well as family and friends of the deceased.

He said: “Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu served the Fourth and Fifth Senate between 1999 and 2007 with compassion and diligence. He served the Senate in various capacities from Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Deputy President of the Senate as well as Chairman, Joint National Assembly Constitution Review Committee.

“Similarly, he chaired the Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP), which metamorphosed into National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Amirul Hajj from 2005 to 2006 and also superintended the Palliative Consolidated Committee for Cushioning Measures.”