The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) mourns the death of former Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District, Senator Bello Mandiya, who died at the age of 62.
HURIWA extends its deepest condolences to his family, the people of Katsina State, his political associates, former colleagues and all Nigerians who mourn the passing of a remarkable public servant, politician, journalist and advocate of national development.
For HURIWA, Senator Mandiya was more than a politician and lawmaker. He was a dependable ally of the human rights community and a man who consistently demonstrated a genuine intellectual commitment to the advancement of human rights and democratic values in Nigeria.
During his lifetime, Senator Mandiya made it a point to attend several of HURIWA’s national human rights lectures, where he participated actively in discussions on critical human rights challenges confronting the country. He did not merely attend these engagements; he offered thoughtful contributions, proffered solutions and suggested practical ways of strengthening the work and impact of human rights defenders in Nigeria.
His commitment to these issues remained evident even when he occupied public office. Whether as Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor or subsequently as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mandiya brought his intellect, experience and sense of responsibility to issues affecting the people and the nation.
HURIWA particularly remembers him as a public official who understood that governance was not merely about political power but also about protecting citizens’ rights, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting justice and human dignity.
Before his election to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mandiya also had a background in journalism and media management. He published a specialised magazine aimed at encouraging political dialogue and promoting national unity.
He was, in every sense, a media manager of the purest kind — intellectually grounded, politically engaged and committed to using communication as an instrument for dialogue rather than division.
His public service career also included his tenure as Chief of Staff to former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, before his election to the Senate, where he served from 2019 to 2023.
News of his death has triggered tributes from across the political and public-service spectrum. Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, described his death as a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria, while former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, remembered him as a “thoroughbred lawmaker” who brought diligence, intellect and a deep sense of responsibility to his duties, particularly during his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Also mourning Mandiya, founder of Agora Policy and former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio, recalled that their friendship dated back to 1988.
HURIWA joins Nigerians in mourning this painful loss.
We believe that the best tribute to Senator Bello Mandiya is to preserve the values he represented: intellectual engagement, political dialogue, national unity, public service and the relentless defence of human dignity.
His contributions may have come to an end with his passing, but his intellectual footprints and the memories of his engagement with the human rights community will remain.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest and give his family, friends, colleagues and associates the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
SIGNED:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). Tuesday, September 9th, 2026.
