Former Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District, Bello Mandiya, has died at the age of 62 after a battle with brief illness.
Mandiya reportedly died after suffering the yet-to-be discloded ailment, his death made known by Ibrahim Mohammed, the state’s Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dikko Radda, adding that the deceased, who died yesterday, is set to be buried on Tuesday at 11am in Abuja.
In the statement, Governor Radda described Mandiya’s death as a significant loss to Katsina State and Nigeria, noting that the late senator dedicated a substantial part of his life to public service.
The governor commiserated with Mandiya’s family, former Katsina Governor Aminu Masari, residents of Katsina South, the deceased’s political associates and his former colleagues in the National Assembly.
Before becoming a senator, Mandiya served as Chief of Staff to Masari during the former governor’s tenure.
He later secured the APC ticket to contest the Katsina South Senate seat in 2019 after defeating incumbent Senator Abu Ibrahim at the party’s primary.
Mandiya subsequently served in the 9th National Assembly between 2019 and 2023, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources and participated in legislative activities concerning his constituency and the country.
His tenure also saw him raise concerns over insecurity in Katsina, including the abduction of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in 2020.
Among his legislative initiatives was a bill seeking the establishment of a Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Funtua, Katsina State. The proposal passed its second reading in the Senate in 2019.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan also mourned the deceased, describing Mandiya as a trusted friend and committed legislator who made his mark during the 9th Senate.
Lawan said the former senator’s passing had left a significant void among his former colleagues, while offering condolences to his family and the people of Katsina State.
Mandiya’s death has therefore marked the end of the political career of a former federal lawmaker whose public service extended from the Katsina State Government to the National Assembly.