The Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has narrated how his late colleague, Bello Mandiya, allegedly slipped and hit his head in his bathroom, with his body reportedly discovered about 72 hours later at his Abuja residence.
Ningi’s account was delivered during Senate plenary on Tuesday, October 13, and was shared in a video on Thursday.
According to Ningi, the former lawmaker lived alone, and his absence went unnoticed for several days until the chief imam of Apo became worried after he failed to attend prayers for three consecutive days.
Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of Mandiya’s death. His son was among those who discovered the former senator’s body on September 7, 2026.
Ningi said Mandiya had last been seen by a colleague at about 11 am on Friday, September 4. He had returned home and was preparing to attend the congregational prayer.
“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.
Ningi said the incident was discovered after residents noticed a foul smell coming from Mandiya’s apartment, prompting them to investigate.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he said.
Ningi said those who arrived at the residence eventually forced the door open, only to find Mandiya dead in the bathroom.
“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy,” he said.
Reflecting on the incident, Ningi noted that political positions and material wealth could not shield anyone from life’s uncertainties.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” Ningi said.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, prayed for the deceased and extended his condolences to his family, the people of Katsina State and his former constituents.
Mandiya died on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the age of 62.
He represented Katsina South Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023, having previously served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda described his death as a major loss to the state and Nigeria.