‘A towering national figure,’ Tinubu mourns ex-PDP national chairman Bamanga Tukur

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman, renowned businessman and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at the age of 90.

The President described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history, recalling his contributions to public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business development.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa. Blueprint reports

Tinubu recalls Tukur’s public service

According to the President, Tukur was a towering national figure whose public career spanned several decades and multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence during his tenure as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982.

Tinubu noted that Tukur played a role in the modernisation of port operations during his time at the agency and contributed to efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.

His experience in public administration and economic management subsequently prepared the ground for his entry into partisan politics and other areas of national leadership.

From Gongola governorship to federal cabinet

Tukur made his major political breakthrough during the Second Republic when he was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983.

Gongola State was later divided into Adamawa and Taraba states, meaning that Tukur’s political legacy remains connected to the development of both states.

His tenure as governor was, however, cut short following the military coup that ended the Second Republic in December 1983.

The former governor later returned to the federal government as Minister of Industries under the administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

He served in the position between 1993 and 1995, bringing his experience in administration and business to the management of the industrial sector.

Business career and enterprise

Beyond public office, Tukur established a significant presence in Nigeria’s private sector.

Tinubu recalled his service as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, businesses with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

His involvement in the private sector further strengthened his reputation as a businessman who combined commercial interests with an interest in national economic development.

The President described Tukur as a man of ideas and enterprise who believed strongly in Nigeria’s potential.

Champion of African economic development

Tukur’s influence extended beyond Nigeria, particularly through his involvement in continental business organisations.

He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

In those positions, he advocated greater economic integration across the continent, stronger intra-African trade and increased participation of the private sector in Africa’s development.

His continental engagements placed him among Nigerian business leaders who contributed to conversations on Africa’s economic renaissance and sustainable development.

Tinubu said Tukur remained an advocate of private sector-led growth and economic cooperation across African countries.

Tukur’s PDP leadership

Tukur returned to the centre of Nigeria’s partisan politics in 2012 when he became National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He occupied the position from March 2012 to January 2014, during a period of significant political activity and internal challenges within the party.

President Tinubu acknowledged Tukur’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development during his time as PDP national chairman, particularly his efforts to enforce party discipline and build consensus among members.

Tukur’s tenure at the helm of the PDP placed him at the centre of national political developments during one of the most consequential periods of the Fourth Republic.

Although he eventually left the position in January 2014 amid internal disagreements within the party, his role in the history of the PDP remains significant.

‘Nigeria will sorely miss him’

Tinubu described the late elder statesman as an urbane and generous man who was deeply committed to integrity and public service.

The President said Tukur represented values associated with service and leadership in the Adamawa Emirate and Nigeria at large.

“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear,” Tinubu said.

“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.”

The President’s tribute highlighted not only Tukur’s formal political positions but also the personal influence he exerted as an elder statesman whose experience cut across generations.

Condolences to family, Adamawa

Tinubu extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa and the government and people of Adamawa State.

He also commiserated with members of Nigeria’s political and business communities and Tukur’s associates across the African continent.

The President prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

He also prayed for comfort and strength for Tukur’s family and all those mourning his death.

The death of Tukur marks the passing of a political and economic figure whose career traversed public administration, state governance, federal service, business leadership, continental economic advocacy and national party politics.

His life and career, spanning from the post-independence era through the Second Republic and military administrations to the Fourth Republic, left him with a place in several chapters of Nigeria’s political and economic history.