Ex-Popular Governor Dies; Tinubu Mourns (PHOTO)

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is dead.

Tukur, a former governor of the old Gongola State and Minister of Industries, died on Saturday at the age of 90.

His death was announced in a statement issued by his former media aide, Oliver Okpala, with the consent of his children, Awwal Tukur and Lami Tukur.

According to the statement, Tukur died at about noon at his residence in Abuja.

The statement said his remains would be taken to Adamawa for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Tukur’s death came three days before his 91st birthday. He was born on September 15, 1935.

Reacting to his father’s death, Awwal Tukur said the family accepted it as the will of Allah, adding that they would take solace in the life their father lived and the legacy he left behind.

The statement said sympathisers, political associates and close relations had gathered at the deceased’s Abuja residence to pay their respects.

Tinubu, Fintiri Mourn

President Bola Tinubu described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the former governor as a towering figure whose career spanned public administration, governance, business, politics and pan-African economic 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.

The President extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

Governor Umaru Fintiri

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri also mourned the former governor, describing his death as a “monumental loss” to the state and Nigeria.

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a colossus who made remarkable contributions to the development of Adamawa State and Nigeria. His wealth of experience, wisdom and commitment to public service earned him a place of honour in our national history,” Fintiri said.

The governor added, “I will personally miss his wise counsel and the depth of experience he brought to matters concerning our state and nation. His passing has left a significant void that will be difficult to fill.”

Fintiri subsequently declared three days of mourning across Adamawa State, directing that government flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.

PDP Pays Tribute

The PDP described Tukur’s death as a “profound loss” to Nigeria, recalling his decades of service in public administration, business and politics.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party described Tukur as a distinguished statesman, administrator, businessman and committed member of the PDP.

Tukur served as Governor of the old Gongola State from October to December 1983 before the military coup that ended the Second Republic.

He later served as Minister of Industries and as Chief Executive/General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He became National Chairman of the PDP in 2012 and resigned from the position in January 2014, after leading the party during a period of significant political tensions.

The party said his tenure reflected his “wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment to public service and democratic development”.

It extended condolences to his family, associates, the people of Adamawa State and members of the PDP nationwide.