- Tinubu mourns demise of elderstatesman
A former National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has died at a hospital in Abuja, his family confirmed.
Reports said the 90-year-old elder statesman passed away in the Federal Capital Territory, providing further details on the circumstances surrounding his death, which was earlier confirmed by the family.
The source also disclosed that Tukur’s remains have been flown from Abuja to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, where he would be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Tukur, who held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa, was born on September 15, 1935. His death came three days before what would have been his 91st birthday.
His passing brings to a close a public and business career spanning several decades and different periods of Nigeria’s political history.
Before entering partisan politics, Tukur served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982. He was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, but his tenure was cut short by the military coup of December that year. The former Gongola State was later divided into present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
Tukur subsequently served as Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 before becoming a major figure in the PDP following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
He emerged as National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012 and resigned in January 2014 amid an internal crisis within the then-ruling party.
Beyond politics, Tukur was prominent in African business circles, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the passing of Alhaji Tukur, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
According to him, Tukur was a towering figure whose distinguished career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
The President recalled Tukur’s colourful foray into politics during the Second Republic, which led to his election as Governor of the old Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) in 1983.
On the continental stage, he added that Tukur was an eloquent champion of Africa’s economic renaissance, noting that the deceased was a relentless advocate for intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.
“He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance,” Tinubu said.
The President extended his condolences to the Tukur family, to the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, and to the entire political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
- Media Report