Bamanga Tukur’s death, a great loss to Nigeria, says Wike-backed PDP

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the death of its erstwhile National Chairman and former Governor of old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is indeed a profound loss to the nation, given his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.

The party said this in a statement on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed.

The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mourns the passing of its former National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, a distinguished statesman, elder, administrator, businessman and committed member of the Party.

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a towering figure whose remarkable public service career spanned several decades.

“He served as Governor of the old Gongola State from October to December 1983, and subsequently served the nation as Minister of Industries and as Chief Executive/General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

“Beyond his contributions to public administration, Alhaji Tukur also distinguished himself in the private sector and international business community, including his service as President of the Africa Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, among other important responsibilities.

“He was elected National Chairman of the PDP in 2012, and led the Party until his resignation in January 2014. “As a committed member and leader of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur played significant roles in the affairs and development of the Party.

“His tenure as National Chairman was at a significant period in the political history of the Party and the nation.

“He brought to the leadership of the PDP his wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment to public service and democratic development.

“The PDP deeply mourns his passing and recognises his contributions to the growth of the Party, the strengthening of democratic governance and the development of Nigeria.

“His death is indeed a profound loss to the nation, given his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.

“The Party extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends, associates, the people of Adamawa State, and the entire PDP family across the country.

‘At this difficult moment, we pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, while granting his family and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”, it said