Family announces burial date for late Bamanga Tukur

The remains of former Governor of the defunct Gongola State and elder statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, will be laid to rest in Yola, Adamawa State, on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

The family announced the burial arrangements in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Awwal Tukur, disclosing that the remains of the former governor would arrive in Yola on Saturday ahead of the funeral rites.

According to the family, funeral prayers for the deceased will be held at the Lamido’s Palace in Yola at 10:00am on Sunday, after which he will be buried. Blueprint reports

The burial announcement was also conveyed by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Adamawa State Governor, underscoring the significance of the late elder statesman’s passing to the state and its people.

Tukur died three days before his 91st birthday, bringing to an end the life of a prominent public servant, businessman and politician whose career spanned several decades of Nigeria’s political and economic history.

The late Tukur, who was born on September 15, 1935, occupied several important positions in public service and politics, including General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Governor of Gongola State, Minister of Industries and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Family announces final rites

The announcement of the burial arrangements came shortly after the death of the former governor, as family members and associates began preparations for his final journey.

The family said his remains would arrive in Yola on Saturday, allowing relatives, political associates, traditional leaders and other sympathisers to pay their respects before the funeral prayers on Sunday.

The choice of the Lamido’s Palace as the venue for the funeral prayers reflects the late Tukur’s longstanding connection with the traditional institution and the wider Adamawa community.

The family also disclosed that Tukur is survived by two wives and 18 children, among them Awwal Tukur, who serves as the Secretary to the Government of Adamawa State.

Long public service career

Tukur’s public career was marked by service in key sectors of the Nigerian economy and political administration.

He served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, a period during which he was involved in the administration and development of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.

His experience in public administration later took him into partisan politics and governance, culminating in his appointment as Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983.

Gongola State, which existed before its eventual division, comprised areas that are today part of Adamawa and Taraba states.

Tukur’s tenure as governor was, however, cut short by the military coup of December 1983, which brought the administration of the then civilian government to an end.

From Gongola governor to federal minister

Beyond his tenure as governor, Tukur also served at the federal level as Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha.

His experience in government was complemented by an extensive business career spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

He was associated with BHI Holdings and DADDO Group and became prominent in private-sector circles both within Nigeria and across Africa.

Tukur also played a role in continental business advocacy as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, where he promoted greater intra-African trade and private-sector participation in economic development.

Leadership of the PDP

Tukur later returned to the centre of Nigeria’s partisan politics, becoming National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in March 2012.

His tenure as national chairman lasted until January 2014, placing him at the helm of Nigeria’s then-ruling party during a period of intense political activity and internal disagreements.

His leadership of the PDP further cemented his status as one of the country’s influential political figures, particularly in the North-East.

Despite the controversies that accompanied party politics during his tenure, Tukur remained a significant figure in Nigeria’s political history and continued to command respect across political and business circles.

Tinubu mourns elder statesman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over Tukur’s death, describing the former governor as an elder statesman whose contributions cut across public administration, governance, business and politics.

Tinubu described Tukur as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted” in the values of integrity and service, while also recalling his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and economic advancement.

The President said Nigeria would miss Tukur’s wise counsel and fatherly guidance, while extending condolences to his family, the Fombina Emirate, the Adamawa State Government and people, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and Africa.

With his burial scheduled for Sunday in Yola, attention has now shifted to the final rites for a man whose career traversed Nigeria’s public service, business and political landscape over several decades.

The funeral is expected to bring together members of his family, political associates, traditional leaders and other dignitaries to honour the late elder statesman and former governor.