Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, is dead.
Tukur died at the age of 90.
The former governor of the old Gongola state, ex-Minister of Industries, businessman and presidential aspirant, died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, according to a statement issued by his family.
His son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur, who announced the death on behalf of the family, said arrangements were underway to take his remains to Yola, Adamawa State, for burial.
The family, in the statement, said Tukur died after a life dedicated to service to his family, community, Adamawa State and Nigeria.
“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 statement said.
It described him as a man whose “wisdom, generosity and commitment to the development of our nation touched countless lives,” adding that his legacy would endure for generations.
The family thanked those who had offered prayers, condolences and support following his death and said details of the Janazah, or funeral prayer, and other burial arrangements would be announced.
The family also prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” it added.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur would have turned 91 three days after his death.
He had a career spanning public administration, politics, business and economic advocacy, rising to national prominence through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he served as General Manager and Chief Executive from the mid-1970s into the early 1980s.
He later ventured into partisan politics and became governor of the old Gongola State, which was subsequently divided into present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
Tukur assumed office in October 1983 on the platform of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN). His tenure, however, lasted about three months before the military coup of December 31, 1983, which brought the Second Republic to an end.
During the transition programme under military President Ibrahim Babangida, Tukur returned to frontline politics and contested for the presidency on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the botched Third Republic.
He later served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of General Sani Abacha in the 1990s.
Outside government, Tukur established business interests associated with the DADDO Group and became involved in efforts to promote private-sector participation in Africa’s economic development.
He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and chaired the NEPAD Business Group, where he worked with business leaders and policymakers on investment and economic development issues.
His international engagements also included positions in maritime and business organisations. He served as Vice Chairman of the International Ports and Harbours Association and Chairman of the International Cargo Handling Association, among other roles.
Tukur later emerged as a prominent figure in the PDP and was elected National Chairman of the party in March 2012 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
His tenure came amid internal tensions within the then-ruling party, including the 2013 rebellion that led to the emergence of the “New PDP” faction involving several governors and senior political figures.
He resigned as PDP National Chairman in January 2014 and was later appointed Ambassador-at-Large by the Jonathan administration.
Tukur also held the traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye and was a recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
In a tribute to mark his 88th birthday in 2023, President Bola Tinubu described Tukur’s career as one that spanned Nigeria’s private and public sectors, highlighting his service as governor, NPA chief, Minister of Industries, PDP chairman and African business leader.
His death marks the end of a long public career that spanned Nigeria’s post-independence public service, the Second and Third Republic political eras and the Fourth Republic.
