President Tinubu Mourns Bamanga Tukur, Former Gongola Governor and PDP Chairman, Dies at 90

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over the death of elder statesman, renowned businessman and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur. He died at the age of 90.

In a State House press release issued on September 12, 2026 by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the passing of the Tafidan Adamawa as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.

The President said Alhaji Tukur was a towering figure whose distinguished career cut across public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur first came into national prominence as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 1975 to 1982. During his tenure, he helped modernise port operations and improve Nigeria’s maritime sector.

President Tinubu also recalled Tukur’s entry into politics during the Second Republic which led to his election as Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. The old Gongola State is now Adamawa and Taraba States.

After his time in government, Tukur distinguished himself in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies. The conglomerates had interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading. He also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

On the continental stage, Tukur was a strong voice for Africa’s economic renaissance.