Tinubu Mourns Former PDP Chairman and Elder Statesman Bamanga Tukur

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the former governor of the old Gongola State and ex-national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died at the age of 90.

In a statement released on Saturday, September 12, 2026, by Special Adviser on Information & Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.

A Towering Legacy in Public Service and Politics

Alhaji Tukur, who held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa, was born on September 15, 1935. His distinguished career cut across public administration, governance, industry, and politics.

Key milestones of his public career included being General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982. Governor of the old Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) in 1983 during the Second Republic and Federal Ministry Minister from 1993 to 1995.

The late Tukur served as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.

Champion of African Business

Beyond politics, Tukur was a prominent figure in the private sector. He chaired conglomerates like BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, which span manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and trading.

On the continental stage, he advocated for intra-African trade and private sector-led growth as the Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group

“Man of Big Ideas”

President Tinubu paid tribute to Tukur’s personal values, describing him as “urbane, generous, and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service.”

“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.

The President extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government, and the wider African business and political communities, praying that Almighty Allah grants him Aljannah Firdaus.