Senate Seat: Mantu Under Pressure To Vie Again

By Bayo Alade - 02.02.2008

supporters of the former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, across the Plateau Central Senatorial District have started mounting pressure on him to vie for the exalted seat again.

Mantu was at the National Assembly for eight years, and his attempt to go for a third term was scuttled by the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Sen. Sali Gogwin, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a controversial circumstance.

The victory was, however, shortlived with the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos canceling the election on the strength of a petition filed by the Democratic Peoples Party candidate which has necessitated a by-election.

The by-election, according to the release signed by Pat Tyem and AbdulGafaar Pam, the chairman and secretary respectively of People’s Solidarity Forum (PSF) , a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Jos, is a welcome development and an opportunity for the people to truly choose their genuinely preferred candidate.

It said: “It is a thing of joy that we are being presented with another opportunity to correct the wrong done to our illustrious son, and we cannot allow the opportunity to slip by.

“This is why we are calling on all men and women of good conscience to rally round in the onerous task of drafting our distinguished senator back unto the race.”

Reacting to the call, Sen. Mantu, through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Yakubu Usman, in a telephone interview acknowledged the activities of the forum, saying though he (Mantu) was not keen on recontesting, he will consult stakeholders before taking a final decision.

He said, “I must say I’m humbled by the gesture of the Forum, which to me is a testimony to the fact that one’s little contributions to the socio-political development of my area have not gone unnoticed.

“I’m highly appreciative of the gesture and I consider it a challenge to do more for my people in whatever way it may please the Almighty Allah to place me, Senate or no Senate.”