Ex-PDP chair Bamanga Tukur dies at 90

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, a revered elder statesman, former Governor of the old Gongola State, and distinguished businessman. The nation's President described Tukur's demise as the conclusion of a significant chapter in Nigeria's political and economic history. Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur's illustrious career encompassed various sectors, including public administration, governance, industry, politics, and pan-African business leadership.

President Tinubu lauded Tukur for his urbane demeanor, generosity, and unwavering commitment to integrity and service, values deeply cherished by the Adamawa Emirate and the nation at large. The President characterized Tukur as a man of considerable ideas and bold enterprise, who relentlessly advocated for Nigeria's boundless potential.

Tinubu expressed profound sorrow over the loss, recalling Tukur's pivotal role during the Second Republic when he was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. His tenure as Governor was followed by a successful private sector career, where he served as the Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, a conglomerate with diverse interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and trading.

Tukur also held the position of Minister of Industries under President General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

On the global stage, Alhaji Tukur was a fervent proponent of Africa's economic resurgence. As the Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, he fervently championed intra-African trade, private sector-led growth, and sustainable development. Tukur also fulfilled his political duties as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014, where he meticulously enforced party discipline and fostered consensus-building.

President Tinubu conveyed his deepest condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Government and people of Adamawa State, and the broader political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa. He fervently prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive Tukur's shortcomings, grant his soul eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus, and offer solace to all who mourn this irreplaceable loss.