Senator Abdul Ningi has recounted how his former colleague, Bello Mandiya, died after slipping in his bathroom and hitting his head, with his body discovered about 72 hours later in his Abuja residence.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, said neighbours discovered Mandiya’s lifeless body after a foul smell began emanating from his apartment and residents became concerned about his prolonged absence.
Speaking during a Senate plenary session, Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when he received a telephone call from his son informing him of Mandiya’s death.
He said his son was among those who discovered the former lawmaker’s body on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Recounting the events leading to the discovery, Ningi said a colleague had last seen Mandiya at about 11 am on Friday, September 4, before the former senator returned to his residence, where he lived alone.
According to him, Mandiya was preparing to attend the Friday congregational prayer when he reportedly slipped and hit his head after bathing.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom,” Ningi said.
He said nobody realised what had happened until the stench from Mandiya’s apartment began spreading to neighbouring properties.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he told the Senate.
He said the chief imam of Apo also raised the alarm after noticing that Mandiya, who regularly joined other Muslims for the five daily prayers, had been absent for three consecutive days.
The combination of the imam’s concern and the foul smell prompted residents to investigate the apartment.
Ningi said those who went to the residence eventually broke open the door and found Mandiya’s body in the bathroom.
“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy,” he said.
Expressing sadness over the circumstances of his colleague’s death, Ningi said the incident highlighted the uncertainty of life, noting that nobody could predict when death would come.
Before his election to the Senate, Mandiya served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
He was elected in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to represent Katsina South senatorial district and served in the ninth National Assembly until 2023. He also chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Mandiya’s death prompted tributes from political leaders and former colleagues, who remembered him for his contributions to public service in Katsina State and at the national level.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, described the loss as a reminder that political office, wealth and social status could not shield anyone from the fragility of life.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
He prayed for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Mandiya’s death leaves family struggling for answers
The family of Senator Mandiya said they are still struggling to understand the circumstances surrounding his death.
The deceased’s younger brother, Musa Bello Mandiya, who lives in Malumfashi, Katsina State, said the death had plunged the family into grief, particularly because the late senator was their only breadwinner.
Speaking with newsmen, Musa said his brother’s death had created a huge vacuum in the family that would be difficult to fill.
“The entire family is still grieving because Bello Mandiya was the only breadwinner of the family. His death has created a very big vacuum in our lives, and it is difficult for us to accept that he is no longer with us,” he said.
Musa said their mother, who lives in Malumfashi, was also finding it difficult to come to terms with the loss of her son.
He explained that the circumstances surrounding the former senator’s death had left relatives in shock, adding that the family was still trying to understand how events unfolded.
He said he was aware that his elder brother had experienced health-related complaints over the years but could not provide details of his medical condition.
“I cannot say that I knew what he was going through medically,” Musa said.
He stressed that he could not establish whether the condition had any connection with his brother’s death.
Despite the pain, Musa said the family was drawing strength from its Islamic faith, which teaches Muslims to accept Allah’s decree in both favourable and difficult circumstances.
“As Muslims, we believe in destiny, whether good or bad. We also believe that nobody can live beyond the time Allah has destined for them. No second would have been added to his life beyond the time appointed for him,” he said.
The family held a 40-day Fidau prayer for the deceased in Malumfashi on Wednesday evening, bringing together relatives, friends, political associates and other well-wishers to pray for the repose of his soul.
The late senator was survived by two children, Rafik and Nada, according to a female relative who spoke with Daily Trust.
She said Rafik was studying in Cairo, Egypt, while his sister, Nada, was in Abuja.
‘His humility set him apart’
The Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi Justice Sadik Abdullahi Mahuta (rtd) described the late senator as a man whose humility distinguished him from many public figures, saying his death was being felt far beyond his immediate community.
The traditional ruler said Senator Mandiya was an exceptional personality whose humility and manner of relating with people earned him respect across different sections of society.
He described the late senator as “one in a hundred” in terms of humility, a quality he said remained one of the most outstanding features of his personality.
Abdul’aziz Abdul’aziz, Sardaunan Matasan Malumfashi, described the late senator as his political mentor and a leader whose contributions to the development of Malumfashi and other communities across Katsina South Senatorial District would remain significant.
According to him, Mandiya used his position in the National Assembly to support projects and interventions intended to improve the lives of his constituents.
He said the former lawmaker contributed to the construction of schools, roads and other infrastructure during his time in office.
“He was not just a political leader to us; he was a mentor whose contributions touched many lives. His commitment to the development of Malumfashi and the wider Katsina South Senatorial District will remain part of his legacy,” Abdul’aziz said.
He added that the late senator’s influence extended beyond the formal responsibilities of an elected representative, pointing to his reported assistance to individuals and groups who sought his support.
“He supported hundreds of people and empowered several others. His humility knew no bounds, and he related with people without making them feel inferior to him,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malumfashi community has concluded plans to immortalise the late senator by naming a school, street or other public amenity after him in recognition of his contributions to the area.
The proposed initiative is intended to preserve his memory and ensure that future generations remain aware of his role in the political and developmental history of the community.
However, details of the specific schools, streets and other amenities to be named after him were not immediately available.
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