President, northern govs mourn ex-PDP chair, Tukur - Punch Newspapers

President Bola Tinubu, Northern States Governors’ Forum, the Peoples Democratic Party and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have mourned the death of former governor of the old Gongola State and ex-PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who died on Saturday at the age of 90. Tukur, who also served as Minister of Industries and General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority, died in Abuja after a prolonged illness, according to a statement signed by his son, Awwal Tukur, who is the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government. The family, while announcing the death, described Tukur as a “beloved father and patriarch,” saying he lived a life of service to his family, community, Adamawa State and Nigeria. “It is with profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that the family announces the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, who returned to his Creator today, 12th September 2026,” the statement said. Tukur, who was born on September 15, 1935, would have turned 91 three days after his death. The family disclosed that former PDP national chairman would be buried by 10am on Sunday (today) at the Lamido’s Palace. According to the family, Tukur is survived by two wives and 18 children, including Awwal. Also, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared three days of mourning in honour of the former governor and PDP national chairman. Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Tukur as a “towering figure” whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership. The President said Tukur contributed to the development of the country’s maritime sector during his tenure as General Manager of the NPA between 1975 and 1982. “He later ventured into politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, before the state was split into the present-day Adamawa and Taraba states. “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 also recalled Tukur’s contributions to the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading. “Tukur was also Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, through which he contributed to continental business advocacy. “He served as National Chairman of the PDP from March 2012 to January 2014 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan,” he added. Tinubu condoled with the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa. Similarly, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, also mourned Tukur, describing his death as a profound loss to the North and the country. In a condolence message issued by his Director-General, Press Affairs, Ismaila Misilli, Yahaya described Tukur as one of the country’s most experienced public servants, political leaders and champions of economic development. He said Tukur’s public service spanned more than six decades, including his service as NPA chief executive, governor of the old Gongola State and Minister of Industries. Yahaya also highlighted his contributions to Africa’s economic development through the African Business Roundtable and NEPAD Business Group, as well as his leadership of the PDP. He said, “Alhaji Bamanga Tukur lived a long and impactful life, serving Nigeria in several critical capacities and contributing significantly to the growth of our economy, institutions and political development. Haske emerges Adamawa APM gov candidate Navy expands grassroots projects in Gombe Ogun Senator hails Tinubu’s education reforms “His wealth of experience, wisdom and commitment to public service will be greatly missed. His death is a great loss to the North and the entire nation.” The PDP also mourned Tukur, with its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, describing him as a distinguished public servant whose decades of service contributed to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development. The party said his tenure as National Chairman came at a significant period in the history of the party and the country, adding that he brought his wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to the position. The party stated, “The PDP deeply mourns his passing and recognises his contributions to the growth of the Party, the strengthening of democratic governance and the development of Nigeria. “His death is indeed a profound loss to the nation, given his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development. “The Party extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends, associates, the people of Adamawa State, and the entire PDP family across the country. “At this difficult moment, we pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, while granting his family and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” In the same vein, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, also described Tukur’s death as a great loss to Nigeria. Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Tukur’s contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades. He described the deceased as an elder statesman whose public service, business career and political leadership reflected a life devoted to national development and institution-building. According to him, “Tukur’s public service record, including his tenure as Governor of the old Gongola State, his service as Minister of Industries and his later leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, reflected a life devoted to the service of the nation. “Senator Mark noted that the deceased was also an accomplished businessman and international figure whose contributions extended beyond partisan politics to national development and institution-building. “Alhaji Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians who devoted their lives to the service of the country. His journey through public service, business and politics was remarkable, and his counsel and experience will be greatly missed. “His death is not only a loss to his family and the people of Adamawa State, but also to Nigeria as a whole. At this difficult moment, we must remember and celebrate the values of service, patriotism and national unity that characterised his long public career,” the statement reads. Also, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, mourned Tukur, describing the late former PDP national chairman as a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria. Saraki, in a condolence message posted on his verified X handle on Saturday, wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former National Chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, lived a distinguished life of service. “From his time as Governor of the old Gongola State to the many responsibilities he took on at the national level, he gave a great deal of himself to Nigeria. “Over the years, our paths crossed many times, particularly during our years in the PDP. We did not always see things the same way, as is often the case in politics, but I never lost my respect for his experience, the strength of his convictions and his dedication to our nation.” Saraki expressed condolences to Tukur’s family, the people of Adamawa State and the PDP, praying, “May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, comfort his loved ones and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen.” He served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha and held several positions in business and African economic advocacy. His tenure as PDP National Chairman was marked by internal crises in the party, including the emergence of the New PDP faction in 2013. He resigned as national chairman in January 2014 and was later appointed Ambassador-at-Large by the Jonathan administration. Kindly share this story:

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