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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Ndubuisi Orji and Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has described the death of former governor of the old Gongola State, Bamanga Tukur, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa and elder statesman, died on Saturday at the age of 90.
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the deceased left an enduring imprint across public administration, politics, industry, business and continental economic development.
The president particularly recalled Tukur’s role in transforming Nigeria’s maritime sector during his tenure as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982.
His public service career later took him into frontline politics, culminating in his election as governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, which comprised present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
Tukur subsequently moved into the private sector, where he chaired BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
He also served as Federal Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
Beyond Nigeria, Tukur emerged as a prominent voice for Africa’s economic integration, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
In those roles, he championed intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
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His political career also took him to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, where he served as National Chairman from March 2012 to January 2014.
Tinubu said Tukur made significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development during his tenure as PDP chairman through his emphasis on party discipline and consensus building.
The president 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.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, stated that Tukur was a towering figure, who made remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.
Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Candidate, Seyi Makinde, has expressed sadness over the death of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
Makinde, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Digital Communication),
Anthony Ehilebo, described the late PDP former chairman as a national icon, who gave his all to the country.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Revd (Dr) Matthew Hassan
Kukah, in a statement said the death of Tukur “marked a major milestone in the history of our dear nation.”
Kukah said: “I had the honour of knowing this great man for over thirty years. He lived well, served well and contributed greatly to our dear nation. Though our nation’s journey to greatness seems slow, people like Tukur laid a good foundation. “
