Cyril Mbah, Abuja
Nigeria on Friday, September 11, 2026, lost a founding father of its democracy and former Governor of old Gongola State, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur, the Tafida of Adamawa. He was 90.
According to a statement released in Abuja by his former media aide, Chief Oliver Okpala, with the consent of his first son, Rt. Hon. Awwal Tukur, and first daughter, Lami, the elder statesman died at about 12 noon in his residence on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Chief Okpala said the body of the deceased would be flown to Adamawa State immediately for burial in accordance with Islamic rites and injunctions.
Sympathizers, close relations and political associates have already thronged his Abuja residence to pay their last respects to the departed hero of Nigeria’s politics and governance.
Reacting to the death, his eldest son, Rt. Hon. Awwal Tukur, who is also Secretary to the Government of Adamawa State, said it happened according to the will of Allah, the Most Merciful.
He added that the family would take solace in the exemplary life their father lived and the monumental legacies he bequeathed to posterity.
In his lifetime, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur distinguished himself as an investor, entrepreneur and technocrat with ownership of multiple business conglomerates to his credit.
He made history as the first African to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York as a private individual, and later served as Chairman of the African Business Roundtable, (ABR).
In public service, Dr. Tukur served as Managing Director and later Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Under his leadership, most of the ports currently serving Nigeria were built.
He was elected Governor of old Gongola State, now split into Adamawa and Taraba States, and also served as a Federal Minister. He later became National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), where he was credited with bringing sanity, progress and electoral victories to the party.
Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur died two days before his 91st birthday. He is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
According to his family, Nigeria has lost a teacher of politics, governance and business.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led-PDP has described the late Tukur as “more than a statesman,” saying Nigeria has lost a founding architect of its democracy and a pillar of the party.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, the PDP said it received with deep sadness the news of the demise of its former National Chairman.
The party noted that throughout his lifetime, Alhaji Tukur played prominent roles in shaping policies and projects across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The PDP highlighted his contributions in particular to ports administration, international trade and industries, describing him as a man of many parts whose political profile matched his professional record.
For a better society
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