Senator Abdul Ningi has told the Senate how former lawmaker Bello Mandiya reportedly died after slipping in his bathroom and hitting his head, with his body found about 72 hours later at his Abuja home.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, shared the details during a Senate plenary session. He said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of Mandiya’s death.
According to him, a colleague last saw Mandiya around 11am on Friday, September 4, 2026. The former senator lived alone and was preparing to attend Friday prayers when the incident happened.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath,” Ningi said.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom.”
Mandiya’s body was discovered on Monday, September 7, after a foul smell from his apartment worried neighbours. The chief imam of Apo had also reportedly raised concerns after Mandiya missed prayers for three straight days.
Residents eventually forced the door open and found his body in the bathroom.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” Ningi told the Senate.
Reflecting on the tragedy, he said life was uncertain and neither wealth nor political office could last forever.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
Mandiya represented Katsina South for the APC from 2019 to 2023. He also served as chief of staff to former Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari and chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
