The remains of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, were on Sunday laid to rest in his hometown, Yola, Adamawa State.

The Chief Imam of Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, Yola, Alhaji Ahmadu Bobboi, led the funeral prayer at 10:50 am.

He was buried at the family compound, Wamilin Chamba House burial ground, in Anguwar Sanda, Abuja Road, Yola, at about 11:30 am in accordance with Islamic rites.

Tukur died on Saturday at the age of 91 at his Abuja residence, and his body was flown to Yola the same day.

His remains were received by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who led the state delegation, including members of the State Executive Council, National and State Assembly members, and top political party stakeholders.

The funeral prayers were attended by the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa; business mogul Aliko Dangote; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri; Senator Iya Abbas, representing Adamawa Central; and former Governor Jibrilla Bindow.

Others included traditional leaders and other dignitaries from across the state and beyond.

In response to the loss, Governor Fintiri announced a three-day statewide mourning period, alongside a work-free day on Monday, September 14, 2026.

The governor further assured residents that the state government would take steps to immortalise the late elder statesman, ensuring that his legacy of service and leadership remains permanently etched in the history of Adamawa State.

Tukur’s rise to public reckoning

Born on September 15, 1935, Bamanga Tukur lived a remarkable life spanning 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 attended the London School of Economics, where he read transportation and economics in 1965. He afterwards 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 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 significant 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 that 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 ventured into partisan politics.

In August 1983, he contested the governorship of the defunct Gongola state on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and defeated Abubakar Barde.

However, his administration was terminated after just three months following the military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari, which ushered in a new military regime.

Tukur subsequently returned to the private sector, where he established BHI Holdings, also known as the DADDO Group of Companies.

Through the venture, he expanded his business interests and 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.

He brought his private-sector experience to bear on industrial policy formulation during his tenure.

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 one of the major political parties in the new democratic dispensation.

In 2012, Tukur emerged as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP had held power at the federal level since the return to democracy in 1999, and Tukur took charge at the peak of the party’s national influence.

During his tenure, disagreements between the party leadership and some governors, lawmakers and other influential members intensified, leading to deep divisions wit

Exit from politics

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.

The crisis weakened the PDP ahead of the 2015 general election, which the party eventually lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As pressure mounted for his resignation, Tukur maintained that only the party’s national convention had the power to remove him.

He, however, resigned as PDP national chairman in January 2014.

On his 80th birthday, Tukur announced his retirement from partisan politics, saying he wanted to give younger Nigerians the opportunity to take over while continuing to serve the country as a statesman and adviser.

“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,” he said.

Tukur was survived by two wives, Hajiya Fatima and Hajiya Asiya, and 18 children. His eldest son, Alhaji Awwal Tukur, currently serves as Secretary to the Adamawa State Government.

Other notable members of the family include Lami Danburam, Zainab Mustapha Jaji, Mahmud Bamanga Tukur and Mohammed Raji Fahad Tukur, among others.

Tinubu, Obasanjo, northern governors mourn

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Northern Governors’ Forum have mourned former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, describing him as a patriot and prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and economic history.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Tukur as a “towering figure” whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business.

“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear,” the president said.

Shettima described Tukur as a “true patriot, a global citizen and an institution in his own right”, saying his death was a monumental loss to Nigeria and Africa.

The Vice President said Tukur made significant contributions as a technocrat who helped build Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, a statesman and politician, and a pan-African business leader.

Former President Obasanjo described Tukur as a patriot whose life reflected “unwavering commitment and stellar public service”.

In a tribute issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo recalled Tukur’s roles at the Nigerian Ports Authority, as governor of Gongola State, Minister of Industries and later National Chairman of the PDP.

He described 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 mourned Tukur, describing his death as a profound loss to the North and Nigeria.

He noted that Tukur’s public service spanned more than six decades, including his leadership of the 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 PDP described its former chairman as a “towering figure” and committed party member whose career covered public service, private enterprise and international business.

The party said Tukur brought his wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to the leadership of the party.

It expressed condolences to his family, the people of Adamawa State and the PDP family nationwide, praying to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Tijjani Ahmad Galadima, described Tukur as a foundational pillar of the community.

“Adamawa has lost an Iroko tree. His wisdom, generosity, and commitment to development will be greatly missed,” Galadima said.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote paid glowing tribute to Tukur’s pioneering role in the country’s industrial growth.

“He was a pioneer of private enterprise in Northern Nigeria. He believed in industry, in jobs, in building Nigeria. He opened doors for many of us in business,” Dangote said. (Daily Trust)