Tinubu Mourns Ex-Gongola Governor Bamanga Tukur at 90

By Peter Emmanuel |

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

Tinubu described the death of Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
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Tukur, who was born on September 15, 1935, was a former governor of Gongola State, which later became Adamawa and Taraba states. He also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between March 2012 and January 2014.

Tinubu Recalls Tukur’s Legacy in Politics, Business

Tinubu described Tukur as a towering figure whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.

The late elder statesman served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, where the State House said he contributed to the modernisation of port operations and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Tukur later entered politics during the Second Republic and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983.

After his time in government, he became involved in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

He also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

On the continental stage, Tukur served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, where he advocated intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.

Tinubu Mourns With Tukur Family, Adamawa Community

Tukur also served as National Chairman of the PDP from March 2012 to January 2014. Tinubu recalled his contributions to democratic development during his tenure, particularly his efforts towards party discipline and consensus building.

Tinubu described Tukur as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service” associated with the Adamawa Emirate and Nigeria.

The President said Tukur was a man of “big ideas and bold enterprise” who believed in Nigeria’s potential, adding that the country would miss his counsel and guidance.

Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government and people, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and others mourning his death.