Former PDP chair Bamanga Tukur buried in Yola

The remains of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, have been laid to rest at his residence in Yola South, Adamawa State.

​Mr Tukur was buried on Sunday in accordance with Islamic rites following a funeral prayer attended by family members, friends, and associates.

​Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, along with Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and several of the deceased’s associates, attended the funeral.

​In a statement signed by his son, Awwal Tukur, the family announced that the elder statesman passed away just days before what would have been his 91st birthday on 15 September.

Born in 1935, Mr Tukur was a politician and public administrator. He served as governor of the defunct Gongola State—which encompassed present-day Adamawa and Taraba states—during the Nigerian Second Republic.

Mr Tukur’s career in public service began at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he served as General Manager from 1975 to 1982. He subsequently transitioned into elective politics, winning the Gongola gubernatorial election in 1983.

His tenure was cut short by the military coup d’état in December of that year.

Following his departure from public office, Mr Tukur expanded his footprint in the private sector, founding BHI Holdings (popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies).

He returned to federal service between 1993 and 1995 as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.

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Mr Tukur played a pivotal role in shaping continental economic policy. He presided over the African Business Roundtable as Executive President and chaired the NEPAD Business Group, while also serving in advisory roles with several international trade organisations.

In March 2012, Mr Tukur was elected PDP National Chairman with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He held the position until January 2014, when he resigned following prolonged internal factional disputes within the party.

Mr Tukur held the title of Tafidan Adamawa.

In recognition of his service to the nation, the Federal Government bestowed upon him national honours, including Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The Republic of Togo also conferred him with the Commander of the Order of the Mono (COM)