April 26, (THEWILL) – Umar Ibrahim Mantu, son of late former deputy senate president, Ibrahim Nasir Mantu, has again purchased the PDP expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the house of Reps seat for the Mangu/Bokkos federal constituency.
This is Umar’s second time of contesting to represent the people of Mangu/Bokkos in the House of Reps, having been defeated in the 2019 PDP primary by the serving member, Bulus Mareng, by a four-vote margin.
Saying that power comes ultimately from God, Umar said the serving member has done his best representing the people, but he, Umar, should be given the chance this time to serve the people of Mangu/Bokkos, because his community service records have shown that he puts community and humanitarian service above self.
Admitting that his entry into politics is partly influenced by the political personality of his late father, Umar is also optimistic that the contest, especially the primary, would be healthy and interesting, and expressed the hope that he will emerge victorious this time.
Noting that role models are people who do worthwhile things, he said his father’s politics and style wouldn’t have influenced him as a person if they were not positive, patriotic, and nationalistic.
He maintained, however, that his father’s influence is not the sole purpose he joined politics: “now he is no longer alive, but today I’m still contesting in politics. I just have to thank God that He showed me my purpose in life; and this purpose is service to humanity.”
He said as a member of the Rotary Club, a foremost humanitarian service organisation in the world, he is well exposed to the dimensions and challenges of community and humanitarian services. “Service to humanity is nothing new to me. Politics just gives me an avenue – instead of using private resources, you use public resources for the purpose they are originally meant”, Umar concluded.
