By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has mourned the death of former Katsina South Senator, Bello Mandiya, recalling his longstanding engagement with the human rights community and his contributions to discussions on democracy and public service.
Mandiya, who was 62, died in Abuja on Monday, September 7, 2026. He represented Katsina South in the Senate from 2019 to 2023 after previously serving as Chief of Staff to former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA described the late senator as a dependable ally who took an active interest in human rights issues beyond his political career.
The association said Mandiya regularly attended its national human rights lectures, where he contributed to discussions on challenges facing the country and offered suggestions on strengthening the work of human rights defenders.
HURIWA said his interest in human rights and democratic values remained evident during his years in public office, adding that he understood governance as involving not only the exercise of political power but also the protection of citizens’ rights and the promotion of justice and human dignity.
Before his election to the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, Mandiya had worked in journalism and media management. HURIWA said he also published a specialised magazine aimed at promoting political dialogue and national unity.
The association described his media background as an important part of his public life, saying he viewed communication as a means of encouraging dialogue rather than division.
Mandiya’s death has drawn tributes from political leaders and former colleagues.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, described his death as a loss to Katsina State and Nigeria, while former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, remembered him as a “thoroughbred lawmaker” who brought diligence, intellect and a strong sense of responsibility to his legislative duties.
Lawan particularly recalled Mandiya’s tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Also mourning the former senator, Waziri Adio, founder of Agora Policy and former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), recalled that his friendship with Mandiya dated back to 1988.
HURIWA extended its condolences to Mandiya’s family, the people of Katsina State, his political associates, former colleagues and others affected by his death.
The association said it believed the late senator’s legacy should be remembered through the values he represented, including intellectual engagement, political dialogue, national unity, public service and respect for human dignity.
It prayed for the repose of his soul and for strength for his family, friends, colleagues and associates to bear the loss.
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