By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has died at the age of 90.
Tukur, a former governor of the old Gongola State and one-time Minister of Industries, died at about noon on Saturday at his residence in Abuja.
His death was announced by his former media aide, Oliver Okpala, with the consent of his children, Awwal Tukur and Lami Tukur.
The family said his remains would be taken to Adamawa for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Tukur died on September 12, three days before his 91st birthday. He was born on September 15, 1935.
His son, Awwal, said the family accepted his death as the will of Allah and would draw strength from the life he lived and the legacy he left behind.
Sympathisers, political associates and family members gathered at his Abuja residence following the announcement of his death.
President Bola Tinubu described the former governor’s death as the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Tukur as a prominent figure whose career covered public administration, politics, business and pan-African economic leadership.
“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 Tukur’s family, the Fombina Emirate, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri also described the death as a “monumental loss” to the state and the country.
“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a colossus who made remarkable contributions to the development of Adamawa State and Nigeria. His wealth of experience, wisdom and commitment to public service earned him a place of honour in our national history,” Fintiri said.
The governor said he would personally miss Tukur’s counsel and experience, describing his death as a significant loss.
Fintiri subsequently declared three days of mourning across Adamawa State and directed that government flags be flown at half-mast in his honour.
The PDP also mourned Tukur, describing his death as a profound loss and recalling his contributions to public administration, business and politics.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party described Tukur as a statesman, administrator, businessman and committed member of the PDP.
Tukur became governor of the old Gongola State in October 1983 but spent only about two months in office before the military coup that brought the Second Republic to an end.
He had earlier served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982 before moving fully into politics and public administration.
He later served as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
Tukur also established BHI Holdings, popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies, and became prominent in Nigeria’s business community.
At the continental level, he served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, where he participated in initiatives focused on African economic development and private-sector growth.
He returned to frontline partisan politics as National Chairman of the PDP in 2012 and resigned from the position in January 2014 after a period marked by significant internal tensions within the party.
Beyond politics and business, Tukur held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa and was honoured by the Federal Government with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The family said his remains would be taken to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, for burial.
Funeral prayers are scheduled for 10am on Sunday, September 13, at the Lamido’s Palace in Yola, after which he will be buried according to Islamic rites.
Tukur is survived by his children and grandchildren, including Awwal Tukur, who serves as Secretary to the Adamawa State Government.
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