Buhari extols Mantu’s virtues, praises his ‘legacy of reconciliation’

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of Ibrahim Mantu, former deputy senate president.

Mantu died in the early hours of Tuesday at a private hospital in the federal capital territory (FCT).

According to a statement released by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s spokesman, the president said Mantu dedicated most of his life to the service of the people.

He commiserated with leaders and members of the national assembly, friends and political associates of Mantu.

The president said Mantu’s legacy of reconciliation and promotion of peaceful co-existence will always be remembered.

“Buhari condoles with the family of former deputy senate president, Ibrahim Mantu, joining Plateau state government and indigenes in mourning the passing of the renowned politician,” the statement reads.

“President Buhari commiserates with leaders and members of the national assembly, friends and political associates of the former deputy senate president, who dedicated most of his life to the service of his people.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also expressed sadness over the death of the former deputy senate president.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s spokesman, described Mantu as a “pillar in the PDP” who could not be forgotten.

Ologbondiyan said the PDP is devastated by the death of one of its leading elders and a member of its board of trustees (BoT).

“Senator Mantu was a highly resourceful leader, an excellent lawmaker, exemplary democrat and dazzling political mobiliser; a very humble and detribalised statesman, who spent his life in innumerable sacrifices towards the unity, stability and economic development of our dear fatherland,’’ he said.

“Mantu was a pillar in the PDP and our party will never forget his sacrifices to ensure the success and growth of the PDP at all levels.

“Above all, senator Mantu was a good man, a God-fearing soul, who spared nothing in ensuring the wellbeing of others above personal pursuits.”

“Our party commiserates with the Mantu family, the PDP fold in Plateau state, the people of Plateau Central as well as the entire state.

“The PDP also prays for God to grant eternal rest to the faithful departed and to the bereaved, the fortitude to bear this huge loss.”

The former lawmaker is expected to be laid to rest later today in Abuja.