The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, have mourned the death of former Gongola State Governor and ex-PDP chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, describing his passing as a major loss to Nigeria.
Tukur died on Saturday at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness.
He was a prominent businessman, politician and public servant whose career spanned the maritime sector, state administration, federal government and partisan politics.
Tukur served as General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 1975 to 1982 before becoming governor of the old Gongola State in 1983.
His tenure was cut short by the military coup that ended the Second Republic in December 1983.
He later served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of former Head of State, Sani Abacha, before returning to business and taking up leadership roles in African business and development organisations.
Tukur was also involved in the African Business Roundtable and the NEPAD Business Group, strengthening his profile beyond Nigerian politics.
In 2012, he emerged as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, a position he held until his resignation in January 2014 amid internal challenges within the party.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the PDP described Tukur as a distinguished public servant whose decades of service contributed to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.
The party said his death was a profound loss to Nigeria, the people of Adamawa State and the PDP family.
It commiserated with his relatives, friends and associates and prayed that Allah would forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
Mark also mourned the former governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan.
The ADC chairman described Tukur as an elder statesman whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.
Mark said Tukur’s record in public service, including his tenure as governor, Minister of Industries and PDP national chairman, reflected a life dedicated to national service.
He also described him as an accomplished businessman and international figure whose contributions went beyond partisan politics to national development and institution-building.
According to Mark, Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians whose experience and counsel remained valuable to the country.
He said the late elder statesman’s wisdom and experience would be greatly missed, particularly at a time when Nigeria needed the contributions of its older generation of leaders.
Mark commiserated with the Tukur family, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as his political associates and colleagues.
He prayed that Allah would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Tukur’s death has triggered tributes across the political divide, marking the end of the public life of one of the most prominent figures associated with old Gongola State and the PDP’s national leadership.
