BAMANGA Tukur, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and presidential aspirant during the Third Republic, has died at the age of 90.
Family sources confirmed Tukur’s death on Saturday, although details surrounding the circumstances of his passing were not immediately made public, News Point Nigeria reports.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur was a politician and public administrator who served as governor of the defunct Gongola State, which comprised present-day Adamawa and Taraba states, during the Nigerian Second Republic.
Tukur began his public service career at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he served as General Manager from 1975 to 1982.
He subsequently ventured into elective politics and won the Gongola gubernatorial election in 1983. However, his tenure was cut short by the military coup d’état in December of the same year.
Following his departure from public office, 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, when he served as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
Tukur also played a pivotal role in shaping continental economic policy. He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and chaired the NEPAD Business Group, while also holding advisory roles with several international trade organisations.
In March 2012, Tukur was elected National Chairman of the PDP with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
He remained in the position until January 2014, when he resigned following prolonged internal factional disputes within the party.
Tukur also held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa.
In recognition of his service to the nation, the Federal Government bestowed national honours on him, including Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
He was also honoured by the Republic of Togo with the title of Commander of the Order of the Mono (COM).
Tukur is survived by his wives, children and grandchildren.