Former senator who represented Katsina South Senatorial District, Bello Mandiya, has died at the age of 62.
Mandiya died in Abuja on Monday, according to the Katsina State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, Ibrahim Mohammed, confirmed the death on Monday night. He disclosed that the former lawmaker would be buried in Abuja on Tuesday.
The cause of death had not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the development, Governor Radda described Mandiya’s death as a significant loss to Katsina State and Nigeria.
“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,” the governor said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
Radda noted that the former senator dedicated several years to public service and made notable contributions at both the state and federal levels.
“Senator Mandiya dedicated part of his life to public service and served our people with commitment. His contributions will remain remembered,” he added.
The governor extended his condolences to Mandiya’s family, former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, residents of Katsina South Senatorial District, the deceased’s political associates, and his former colleagues in the National Assembly.
He also prayed for the repose of Mandiya’s soul and asked God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
Before his election to the National Assembly, Mandiya served as Chief of Staff to Masari during his tenure as governor of Katsina State.
He later contested the Katsina South senatorial election in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged victorious.
Mandiya represented Katsina South in the Ninth National Assembly from 2019 to 2023, when his tenure ended.
