THE EXIT OF A POLITICAL GIANT: LATE SEN. IBRAHIM NASIRU MANTU
By Ayuba Yilgak'ha
domain, but feel compelled to pen down some few things about Late Distinguished Sen. Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu who passed on recently. This was a man who rose in his political adventure to become one of the most vibrant Senators ever produced in the history of Nigerian Politics.
Before his demise in the early hours of Tuesday, August 17, 2021, the Late Senator was a rare breed African politician who made a clear statement as a charismatic political influence in Nigeria, especially, when he held sway as the Deputy Senate President between 2003 - 2007.
The deceased was a witty political giant with a unique capacity to decipher and wiggle his way out of any complex or dicey political situation characteristic of Nigerian politics. At a point in the country, this pragmatist assumed the status of a larger than the life political figure in Nigeria.
His journey to greatness began when the late Senator contested and won the Plateau Central Senatorial seat under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) but the victory was short-lived following the sudden death of the then Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha led to the consequential truncation of the democratic transition of that time. Not tired, the Distinguished Senator joined the All People Party (APP) at the resumption of another democratic transition under Gen. Abdulsalami in 1998 but later smartly left for the People's Democratic Party (PDP), contested for the same senatorial seat and again won convincingly.
After Four (4) years in the senate, the Late Senator was re-elected in 2003 in a most dramatic fashion and consequently went to become the Deputy Senate President of the 5th Senate. He was saddled with that great responsibility under one of the most turbulent senate regimes in Nigeria's political history. Late Sen. Mantu could best be described as a cat with nine lives because he survived as Deputy Senate President under two Senate Presidents, namely, Sen. Adolphus Wabara and Sen. Ken Nnamani.
During his two tenures in the Senate, the Distinguished Senator wooed several projects and appointments to his constituency and Plateau State in general. However, he was accused of facilitating the imposition of the controversial State of Emergency in Plateau State where all political structures were suspended under Governor Dariye's second tenure. His role also led to the impeachment of the governor, which was later voided by the Supreme Court.
Late Sen. Mantu was highly instrumental to the demystification of former governor J.C. Dariye's grip on power, influence, and the emergence of former governor Jonah David Jang as the executive governor of Plateau state in 2007. This was how powerful this man was before his failed attempt to return to the Red Chamber for the third time.
The defeat of Late Sen. Mantu by his successor Distinguished Sen. Satty Davies Gogwim of blessed memory was a huge blow and this marked the beginning of the political decline of this great man of influence.
One of the things that cannot be taken away from this political juggernaut was that he was on top of his game and was a game-changer per excellence. The man was a sound political wizard who knew his onions very well in the game of Politics!
Late Sen. Mantu was a tested political orator whose oration was a sight to behold. The man has this magical voice with a natural talent in social re-engineering which is coveted political asset any politician worth his salt cannot afford to lack. He died as an elder statesman full of grace in statecraft.
Late Nasiru Mantu was a towering political compendium. His knowledge of relevant political history was quite legendary. His contribution to the political development of Nigeria cannot be wished away; not even by his political enemies. This man was indeed a seasoned doyen whose contribution to Nigeria's political history spanned decades.
The deceased was a master strategist, a team player and a grassroots mobilizer. He was a national figure whose political clout extended beyond the shows of Nigeria. Though not a political scientist, Late Mantu was a brand, a reliable political consultant who nurtured and mentored so many in the art of politics.
The dead of Mantu is indeed the end of an eventful political era. However, it brought together waring political gladiators from Plateau state and Nigeria who converged on his residence in Abuja to bid him farewell. Such convergence could be leveraged to build bridges of understanding and lasting reunion strange political bedfellows.
The rainbow gathering of Late Mantu's family members, friends, and political associates to mourn this great political phenomenon can be updated through memorial lecturers to sustain his legacies. A great patriot has departed, but indeed his unique political school of thought shall continue to remain a debatable thesis with great potentials to deepen Nigeria's political jurisprudence.
A great vacuum has been created in Nigeria's political space. Rest In Peace Distinguished. Comfort to the immediate family. Comfort to Plateau Central Senatorial District. Comfort to Plateau State. Comfort the Nigerian National Assembly especially the Red Chamber. Comfort to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(Modest thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, August 30, 2021; SMS: 08116181263; Email: loisayuba420@gmail.com)
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