President Tinubu Mourns Ex-PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur, Describes Him As Towering Figure

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of former governor of the old Gongola State and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 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, NPA, died in Abuja after a prolonged illness, according to a statement by his son, Awwal Tukur, Secretary to the Adamawa State Government.

In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu 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 noted that Tukur later ventured into politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, before the state was split into 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.

Tinubu 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.

He said 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, and served as National Chairman of the PDP from March 2012 to January 2014 during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The President 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.

Tukur, born on September 15, 1935, would have turned 91 three days after his death. He is survived by two wives and 18 children.