End of an Era: Former PDP Chair Bamanga Tukur Laid to Rest in Yola

Bamanga Tukur, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was laid to rest on Sunday in his hometown, Yola, Adamawa State, following his passing on Saturday. He died days before what would have been his 91st birthday on September 15. The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, Yola, Alhaji Ahmadu Bobboi, at 10:50 am, and he was subsequently buried at approximately 11:30 am in the family compound, Wamilin Chamba House burial ground, in Anguwar Sanda, Abuja Road, Yola, in accordance with Islamic rites.

His remains were received by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who led a state delegation including members of the State Executive Council, National and State Assembly members, and top political party stakeholders. Notable attendees at the funeral prayers included the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa; business mogul Aliko Dangote; Senator Iya Abbas, representing Adamawa Central; and former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, alongside other traditional leaders and dignitaries from across Nigeria.

In response to the profound loss, Governor Fintiri announced a three-day statewide mourning period and a work-free day on Monday, September 14, 2026. The governor also assured residents that the state government would take steps to immortalize the late elder statesman, ensuring his legacy of service and leadership is permanently etched in the history of Adamawa State.

Born on September 15, 1935, Bamanga Tukur's remarkable life spanned nine decades, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria’s maritime sector, industrial development, and political landscape. An astute technocrat, successful businessman, and founding political figure, Tukur's journey reflected the evolving history of modern Nigeria. He pursued higher education at the London School of Economics, where he studied transportation and economics in 1965, and later obtained a master’s degree in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Tukur's public service career gained significant prominence during his tenure as General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982. Under his leadership, the nation’s port system underwent substantial transformation. His administrative acumen earned him international recognition when he became the first African vice president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours. In this role, he leveraged his expertise to contribute to the development and expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, setting high standards for port management in the country.

After retiring from active public administration in the early 1980s, Tukur transitioned into partisan politics. In August 1983, he successfully contested and won the governorship of the defunct Gongola State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), defeating Abubakar Barde. However, his administration was short-lived, terminated after just three months by the military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari, which ushered in a new military regime.

Following his departure from public office, Tukur returned to the private sector, where he established BHI Holdings, popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies. Through this venture, he expanded his business interests and significantly contributed to private sector growth before returning to national service. In 1993, the then Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, appointed Tukur Minister of Industries, a position he held until 1995, during which he applied his private-sector experience to industrial policy formulation.

Tukur’s political journey reached another milestone with the return to democratic rule in 1999. He became one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which emerged as a dominant political force. In March 2012, Tukur was elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan. He took charge at the peak of the party’s national influence, having held power at the federal level since 1999.

During his tenure as PDP National Chairman, disagreements between the party leadership and some governors, lawmakers, and other influential members intensified, leading to deep divisions within the party. In 2013, seven governors, 22 senators, and many members of the House of Representatives broke away to form a faction known as the New PDP. This internal crisis significantly weakened the PDP ahead of the 2015 general election, which the party ultimately lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Facing mounting pressure, Tukur, who had maintained that only the party’s national convention could remove him, eventually resigned as PDP national chairman in January 2014.

On his 80th birthday, Tukur announced his retirement from partisan politics, stating his desire to provide younger Nigerians with opportunities to take over, while continuing to serve the country as a statesman and adviser. He articulated, “It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I have used several political platforms to serve my country. It is time to rest. At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure.”

Bamanga Tukur held the title of Tafidan Adamawa and was bestowed with national honours, including the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by the Federal Government, and the Commander of the Order of the Mono (COM) by the Republic of Togo. He is survived by multiple wives, children, and grandchildren. His eldest son, Alhaji Awwal Tukur, currently serves as Secretary to the Adamawa State Government. Other notable family members include Lami Danburam, Zainab Mustapha Jaji, Mahmud Bamanga Tukur, and Mohammed Raji Fahad Tukur.

Numerous prominent figures across Nigeria mourned the passing of Bamanga Tukur. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Tukur as a “towering figure” whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics, and pan-African business, noting his urbane, generous nature and deep roots in integrity and service. Vice President Kashim Shettima hailed Tukur as a “true patriot, a global citizen and an institution in his own right,” emphasizing his monumental contributions to Nigeria and Africa as a technocrat, statesman, politician, and pan-African business leader.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Tukur as a patriot whose life reflected “unwavering commitment and stellar public service,” recalling his roles at the Nigerian Ports Authority, as Governor of Gongola State, Minister of Industries, and later National Chairman of the PDP. Obasanjo hailed him as a “colossus and a bridge-builder” whose contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic development would remain part of the country’s history. The Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also expressed profound loss, highlighting Tukur’s public service spanning over six decades, including his leadership of NPA, Gongola State, and the Ministry of Industries, as well as his contributions to Africa’s economic development through the Africa Business Roundtable and NEPAD Business Group.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described its former chairman as a “towering figure” and committed party member who brought a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to the party’s leadership. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Tijjani Ahmad Galadima, lauded Tukur as a foundational pillar, stating, “Adamawa has lost an Iroko tree. His wisdom, generosity, and commitment to development will be greatly missed.” Alhaji Aliko Dangote paid tribute to Tukur’s pioneering role in Nigeria’s industrial growth, recognizing him as "a pioneer of private enterprise in Northern Nigeria" who "believed in industry, in jobs, in building Nigeria" and "opened doors for many of us in business.”