HURIWA, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, has grieved Senator Ibrahim Mantu’s death, calling him an elder statesman, intelligent politician, and supporter of journalism and journalists.

HURIWA highlighted the former Deputy Senate President’s huge contributions to the socio-political development of Plateau State and the nation at large, adding that the premature death of the former federal senator is a great loss to his state and the country at large.

According to HURIWA, late Senator Mantu was a grassroots leader whose life was all about the people’s interests, as he did everything in his ability to support them through empowerment and great representation.

Mantu earned his place in Nigerian politics through active participation, according to the human rights group, and he also had a strong link with the youth, whom he mentored not just in politics but also other disciplines, particularly service to humanity.

HURIWA said, “Until his death, the deceased availed the practice of Journalism in general of his resources, a wealth of experience and knowledge. We Journalists will miss the voice of peace and unity as well as an advocate of social cohesion and tolerance which the late Deputy Senate represented particularly during the trying moments of its history.

“One remarkable thing about the Late Senator was his detribalized approach to national issues. He was a Muslim but one would hardly notice as he accommodated everyone; friends to the Igbos and charitable to all,” HURIWA added.

“Mantu was open to all and in his early upbringing in Gindiri he played the role that touched and connected people. He thought of the general good. He was a politician with a charismatic difference; other northern leaders should emulate these virtues he exhibited while alive.

”Before his demise, Mantu was a member of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He served in many political positions, including the Director-General of the Defunct National Republican Convention, Presidential campaign 1993; National Chairman, defunct Peoples Democratic Alliance, and National Publicity Secretary defunct United Nigeria Congress Party.

”In 1999, he was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Plateau Central Constituency under the platform of the PDP and was appointed Deputy Senate President in 2000.

”In his autobiography released in 2020, Orji Kalu, former Abia governor, said Mantu was the true hero in the efforts to stop the third term agenda of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006. This was a testament to true representation devoid of political affiliations.”