By Uche Amunike
The Former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu who died in Abuja on Monday evening at age 74, was laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja on Tuesday.
Present at his burial were President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and dignitaries from all walks of life.
In a condolence message signed by the Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari condoled with the constituencies served by the late Mantu, which are the National Assembly and the people of Plateau state.
His statement quoted, ‘The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed, believing his legacy of reconciliation and promotion of peaceful co-existence will always be remembered, especially in bringing more harmony in his state and the country at large,’ the statement said.
On his part, former Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the statement released by his Media Office said that his association with the late Mantu dated back to the period of military-guided political transition programmes, adding that he worked with the deceased when he was Vice President of the country.
According to him, he worked assiduously with Mantu and others during Mantu’s tenure as Deputy Senate President which brought stability to the nascent democracy during the first tenure of the Fourth Republic.
He extolled the late Mantu, describing him as the pillar in the management of the strained relationship between the executive and the legislature during the tough era of getting acclamatized with the nuances of democratic practice.
Nigerian Senate President, Ahmed Lawan expressed his commiseration with the family of the late Mantu and also released a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi where he explained that Mantu had a bright political career that was fine-tuned with the quality representation he gave to the people of Plateau Central District when he served them for 8 years.
It was a role he played with positive energy and finesse, leaving his constituency and colleagues in the Senate with no choice than to develop great admiration and respect for him.
Former Senate President, David Mark, on his part, described Mantu’s demise as sad and shocking, saying that it is a loss to the political class.
So many eminent Nigerians were visibly shaken by his death including Ovie Omo-agege who was also present.
Plateau state governor, Simon Lalung, Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, former Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang were all in attendance.
The brief Islamic funeral ceremony, Janazah, also had former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Benue state governorship candidate, Kashim Ibrahim Imam and so many others in attendance.
The late Ibrahim Mantu was born and raised in Chanso village, Gindiri district in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state. He was a controversial and prominent politician and member of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
