Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has died at the age of 90.
Tukur’s family confirmed his death on Saturday, saying the prominent businessman and politician died at his residence in Abuja after a period of illness.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur was a prominent Nigerian businessman, politician and former governor of the old Gongola State, which comprised present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
He began his public career in the corporate and public sectors and rose to national prominence as the General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a position he held from 1975 to 1982.
Tukur later ventured into partisan politics and was elected governor of Gongola State in 1983. His administration, however, was short-lived following the military coup that brought the Second Republic to an end later that year.
After leaving political office, Tukur returned to business and founded BHI Holdings, also known as the DADDO Group of Companies.
He subsequently returned to government as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha, serving between 1993 and 1995.
Beyond Nigeria, Tukur became an influential figure in African business circles. He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, while also holding several positions in international business and investment organisations.
Tukur’s political career reached another major milestone in March 2012 when he emerged as National Chairman of the PDP with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
His tenure as chairman came at a period of intense political activity within the ruling party. However, disagreements and internal crises eventually led to his resignation from the position in January 2014.
As PDP national chairman, Tukur was at the centre of efforts to manage competing interests within the party ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Before and after his tenure as party chairman, he remained an influential political figure in Adamawa and the wider North-East region.
Tukur also held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa and was recognised for his contributions to business and public service.
He was a recipient of the national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Order of the Mono (COM).
Family sources said arrangements were being made for his burial, with his funeral prayer expected to take place at the Lamido of Adamawa’s Palace in Yola, Adamawa State.
The deceased reportedly left behind 17 children.
His death marks the end of a long career that spanned Nigeria’s public service, business, traditional institutions and partisan politics.
Tukur’s political journey, from governor of the former Gongola State to federal minister and later national chairman of one of Nigeria’s major political parties, made him one of the notable political figures to emerge from the former Northern Region.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
