Mark, Wike-backed PDP, Turaki mourn Bamanga Tukur

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN faction of the PDP has mourned the passing of its former National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Mahmud Tukur.

This was contained in a separate statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja, where the parties described the deceased as a committed member of the Party and a towering figure whose remarkable public service career spanned several decades.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party said his death was indeed a profound loss to the nation, given his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.

The PDP described his death as a loss to the nation, lauding his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic, and democratic development.

The party added in the statement that it recognised his contributions to the growth of the Party, the strengthening of democratic governance and the development of Nigeria.

The Party further extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends, associates, the people of Adamawa State, and the entire PDP family across the country.

The statement reads further: “Beyond his contributions to public administration, Alhaji Tukur also distinguished himself in the private sector and international business community, including his service as President of the Africa Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, among other important responsibilities.

“He was elected National Chairman of the PDP in 2012 and led the Party until his resignation in January 2014. As a committed member and leader of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur played significant roles in the affairs and development of the Party.

“His tenure as National Chairman was at a significant period in the political history of the Party and the nation. He brought to the leadership of the PDP his wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and longstanding commitment to public service and democratic development,”

While eulogising the late elder statesman, the Turaki faction in another statement, its National Publicity Secretary

Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said Tukur in his life time played prominent roles in shaping policies and projects in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly ports administration, international trade and industries.

“He was a man of many parts whose political profile was as rich as his professional record. He served as Governor of the old Gongola State, in addition to holding several other high-ranking political and public offices.

“His death at the age of 90, though painful to us, his political family, is viewed by us as a statesman’s farewell. During our last interaction with him a few months ago, he specifically reiterated his unflinching belief in the PDP as the truly national party capable of providing solutions to Nigeria’s challenges and charged our National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, to keep the flag of the party flying,”

The National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark described the death of the elder statesman as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country needs the wisdom, experience and counsel of its older generation of leaders.

Mark in the statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan said Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a prominent figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.

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 (PDP), 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 late Tukur was elected National Chairman of the PDP in 2012 and led the Party until his resignation in January 2014. As a committed member and leader of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur played significant roles in the affairs and development of the Party.