End of an Era: Former PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur Passes Away at 90

Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, former National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has passed away at the age of 90, just three days before his 91st birthday.

His family announced his death, which occurred on Saturday, September 12, in a statement signed by his son, Awwal Tukur.

The statement conveyed profound sadness, stating: "It is with profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that the family announces the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, who returned to his Creator today 12th September 2026."

The family also indicated that further details regarding the Janazah and other burial arrangements would be communicated later.

Born on September 15, 1935, in Adamawa State, Bamanga Tukur dedicated his life to extensive service across both the public and private sectors. His distinguished career included several prominent positions, notably as governor of the old Gongola State.

Prior to his gubernatorial role, Tukur served as the general manager and chief executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982. He was elected governor of Gongola State in 1983, a tenure that was cut short by a military coup in December of the same year.

Tukur continued his involvement in government, serving as the Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

In the political sphere, he rose to become the National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He resigned from this influential position in January 2014, following a period of significant internal crisis within the party, and was subsequently appointed Ambassador-at-Large by the Jonathan administration.

Beyond his governmental and political roles, Bamanga Tukur made substantial contributions to business and continental economic affairs. He was the founder of BHI Holdings, also known as DADDO Group of Companies, which holds diverse interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and trading.

A respected figure in pan-African business, he founded and served as the former president of the Africa Business Roundtable, and also chaired the NEPAD Business Group.

His international recognition was further solidified when he became the first African vice-president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours.

Academically, Tukur held a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States and was later awarded an honorary doctorate in law by Benue State University, Makurdi. He was also a custodian of traditional values, holding the revered titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in his home state of Adamawa.

President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sorrow at Tukur's passing, describing him as a monumental figure whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics, and pan-African business.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledged Tukur's crucial contributions to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector during his tenure at the NPA.

President Tinubu further lauded Tukur as an "urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear," adding that he was "a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential.

"The President concluded by stating that Nigeria would "sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance."

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

He offered prayers that Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus, and provide comfort to his grieving family and all those who mourn his loss.