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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman, renowned businessman and former governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at the age of 90.
The President described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history, recalling his contributions to public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African economic development.
This is contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu expressed his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa. Project reports
Tinubu remembers Tukur’s public service
According to the President, Tukur was a towering national figure whose public career spanned several decades and multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence during his tenure as director general of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982.
Tinubu noted that Tukur played a role in modernizing port operations during his tenure at the agency and contributed to efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.
His experience in public administration and economic management subsequently prepared the ground for his entry into partisan politics and other areas of national leadership.
From the governorship of Gongola to the federal cabinet
Tukur made his big political breakthrough during the Second Republic when he was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983.
Gongola state was later divided into Adamawa and Taraba states, meaning that Tukur’s political legacy remains linked to the development of both states.
His tenure as governor was, however, cut short following the military coup that ended the Second Republic in December 1983.
The former governor later returned to the federal government as Minister of Industry under the administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He held the position from 1993 to 1995, bringing his administrative and business experience to the management of the industrial sector.
Business career and business
In addition to public office, Tukur has established a significant presence in Nigeria’s private sector.
Tinubu recalled his service as chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO group of companies, companies with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
His involvement in the private sector further strengthened his reputation as a businessman who combined commercial interests with an interest in national economic development.
The President described Tukur as a man of ideas and resourcefulness who strongly believed in Nigeria’s potential.
Champion of African economic development
Tukur’s influence extended beyond Nigeria, particularly through his involvement in continental business organisations.
He was Executive Chairman of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
In those positions, he advocated for greater economic integration across the continent, stronger intra-African trade, and greater private sector participation in Africa’s development.
His continental engagements have placed him among Nigerian entrepreneurs contributing to conversations on Africa’s economic revival and sustainable development.
Tinubu said Tukur remains an advocate of private sector-led growth and economic cooperation between African countries.
Tukur’s PDP leadership
Tukur returned to the center of Nigeria’s partisan politics in 2012 when he became national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He held the position from March 2012 to January 2014, during a period of significant political activity and internal party challenges.
President Tinubu recognized Tukur’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development during his time as PDP national chairman, particularly his efforts to enforce party discipline and build consensus among members.
Tukur’s tenure at the helm of the PDP placed him at the center of national political developments during one of the most important periods of the Fourth Republic.
Although he ultimately left office in January 2014 due to internal party disagreements, his role in the history of the PDP remains significant.
“Nigeria will miss him greatly”
Tinubu described the late elder statesman as a gracious and generous man, deeply committed to integrity and public service.
The President said Tukur represents the values associated with service and leadership in the Emirate of Adamawa and Nigeria at large.
“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Emirate of Adamawa and the nation hold dear,” Tinubu said.
“He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will dearly miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance.”
The President’s tribute highlighted not only Tukur’s formal political positions but also the personal influence he wielded as an elder statesman whose experience spanned generations.
Condolences to the family, Adamawa
Tinubu expressed his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State.
He also commiserated with members of Nigeria’s political and business communities and Tukur’s associates across the African continent.
The President prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.
He also prayed for comfort and strength for Tukur’s family and all those mourning his death.
Tukur’s death marks the passing of a political and economic figure whose career spanned public administration, state governance, federal service, corporate leadership, continental economic defense and national party politics.
His life and career, spanning from the post-independence era through the Second Republic and military administrations to the Fourth Republic, have left him a place in several chapters of Nigeria’s political and economic history.
