Elder Statesman, Bamanga Tukur, Passes at 90
POLITICS DIGEST — Bamanga Tukur, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor of the defunct Gongola State, has died at the age of 90.
Family sources confirmed his death on Saturday, although the circumstances surrounding his passing were not immediately disclosed.
Tukur, who was born on September 15, 1935, was a politician, businessman and public administrator whose career spanned Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
He began his public service career with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he rose to become General Manager and served between 1975 and 1982.
He later ventured into partisan politics and contested the 1983 governorship election in Gongola State, winning the poll. His tenure, however, was cut short following the military coup of December 1983.
Gongola State, which existed from 1976 to 1991, comprised areas that are now Adamawa and Taraba states.
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After leaving public office, Tukur established BHI Holdings, popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies, expanding his activities in the private sector.
He returned to government in 1993 and served as Minister of Industries under the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha until 1995.
Beyond Nigeria, Tukur was involved in continental economic affairs. He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and chaired the NEPAD Business Group, in addition to holding advisory positions with international trade organisations.
Tukur returned to frontline politics in 2012 when he was elected National Chairman of the PDP in March of that year with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
He resigned from the position in January 2014 following prolonged internal disagreements and factional disputes within the ruling party.
A traditional title holder, Tukur was also the Tafidan Adamawa.
He was recognised for his contributions to national development with the conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), one of Nigeria’s national honours.
The Republic of Togo also honoured him with the Commander of the Order of the Mono (COM).
Tukur is survived by his wives, children and grandchildren.
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