President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the passing of Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died on Saturday at the age of 90. The announcement was made by Tukur's family in a statement signed by his son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur.
Tinubu's Tribute to a Statesman
In a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Tukur as a "towering figure" whose life's work touched public administration, governance, industry, politics, and pan-African business leadership.
"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.
Career Spanning Governance and Industry
Tukur was born on September 15, 1935, and built a career that cut across several sectors of national life. He served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, a period Tinubu credited with meaningful contributions to Nigeria's maritime development.
He entered politics and won the governorship of the old Gongola State in 1983. That state was later split into what are now Adamawa and Taraba states. He also served as Minister of Industries during his federal career.
Business Leadership and PDP Chairmanship
On the private side, Tukur chaired BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, which had interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and trading. He held regional influence as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
From March 2012 to January 2014, he led the PDP as National Chairman under former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
Condolences and Family Announcement
The President extended his condolences to Tukur's family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government, and the broader political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa. He prayed that Allah would forgive Tukur's shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus, and bring comfort to those mourning his loss.
Tukur's death was first made public by his family in a statement signed by his son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur.
