Buhari, Anyim, others mourn ex-Senate Deputy President Mantu

Late Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu

President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, senators and House of Representatives members yesterday mourned former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu.

The former Senate Deputy President between 2001 and 2007 reportedly died in an Abuja hospital on Monday evening.

His remains were laid to rest yesterday at the Gudu Cemetery in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Dignitaries at the brief Islamic funeral (Janazah) ceremony included former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Borno State governorship candidate, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, among others.

In a condolence message through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari commiserated with the people of Plateau State and the National Assembly, the two constituencies he served in his lifetime.

“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 service of his people.

“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.

Also, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Senate President David Mark, Senate Deputy President Ovie Omo-Agege, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, his deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase, mourned the late Mantu.

In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Atiku said his association with Mantu dated back to the era of military-guided political transition programmes.