The Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has narrated how his former colleague, Senator Bello Mandiya, died after slipping in his bathroom at his Abuja residence.
Ningi gave the account during Senate plenary on Tuesday, October 13. A video of his narration went viral on Thursday.
According to Ningi, Mandiya, who lived alone in Abuja, slipped and hit his head while coming out of the bathroom. His body was discovered about 72 hours later.
Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son, who was among those who found the body, called to inform him of the incident on September 7, 2026.
He said Mandiya was last seen by a colleague at about 11 am on Friday, September 4, 2026. He had returned home and was preparing for Jumu’ah prayers.
“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 told the Senate.
The Bauchi lawmaker said Mandiya’s absence went unnoticed for three days until the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters raised concern that he had not been seen in the mosque for three consecutive days.
The tragedy reportedly came to light after a foul odour was perceived from his apartment.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” Ningi said.
He said residents eventually forced the door open and found the former lawmaker lifeless 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 said it was a reminder of the vanity of life and power.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
Mandiya, aged 62, represented Katsina South Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023 and previously served as Chief of Staff to former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari. He died on September 7, 2026.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has described his death as a great loss to the state and the nation.
