Bamanga Tukur Dies at 90 as Tinubu Mourns Former PDP Chairman

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, has died at the age of 90. President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences to his family and described the former governor, minister and business leader as an important figure in Nigeria's political and economic history.

Tukur's death brings to an end the life of a public figure whose career included senior government appointments, political leadership and involvement in private-sector and pan-African business organisations.

Bamanga Tukur died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 90, according to reports and a statement from his family.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently mourned the former PDP national chairman in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu said Tukur's career covered public administration, governance, industry, politics and business. The President also extended his condolences to Tukur's family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government and members of Nigeria's political and business communities.

Tukur was born on September 15, 1935. He became General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1975 and held the position until 1982.

He later entered politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. Gongola State was subsequently divided into what are now Adamawa and Taraba states.

Tukur also served as Minister of Industries and was involved in private business, including leadership positions in BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies.

His political career later took him to the national leadership of the PDP. He served as national chairman of the party from March 2012 until January 2014 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Tukur's death is significant because his career crossed several important areas of Nigeria's public life.

He was involved in government administration during different periods of the country's political development, served as a state governor and minister, and later became one of the most senior figures in Nigeria's largest opposition party.

His tenure as PDP national chairman also placed him at the centre of national politics during the Jonathan administration.

Beyond politics, Tukur was involved in business and continental economic advocacy. He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

His death will therefore be felt not only within the PDP and Adamawa political circles but also among people who worked with him in government and business.

Key Questions

Who was Bamanga Tukur?

Bamanga Tukur was a Nigerian politician, businessman and former public administrator. He served as governor of the old Gongola State, Minister of Industries, General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority and later national chairman of the PDP.

How old was Bamanga Tukur?

Tukur was 90 when he died on September 12, 2026. He was born on September 15, 1935, meaning he would have turned 91 three days after his death.

When was he PDP national chairman?

Tukur served as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party from March 2012 to January 2014.

What was Gongola State?

Gongola was a former state in northeastern Nigeria. It was later divided, with its territory forming much of present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.

What did Tinubu say about his death?

President Tinubu described Tukur as a major figure whose career spanned public service, politics, industry and business. He also offered condolences to Tukur's family and other communities connected to him.

Tukur's career stretched across several decades of Nigeria's political and economic development.

His work at the Nigerian Ports Authority placed him in a senior position within the country's maritime administration during the 1970s and early 1980s. His subsequent appointment as Minister of Industries expanded his public-sector role into industrial policy.

His election as governor of Gongola State in 1983 came shortly before the military takeover that ended the Second Republic. Decades later, he returned to national prominence through the PDP, eventually becoming the party's national chairman in 2012.

His involvement with African business organisations also gave him a role beyond Nigeria's domestic political system, particularly in efforts focused on continental private-sector development.

The immediate next steps are expected to centre on funeral arrangements and tributes from Tukur's family, the Adamawa community, political associates and organisations with which he was connected.

President Tinubu has offered prayers for Tukur and his family, including a prayer for Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

Further details about his burial and funeral arrangements will depend on announcements from his family and relevant authorities.

Bamanga Tukur's death marks the passing of a political and business figure whose public career spanned government administration, state leadership, national party politics and African business advocacy. At 90, he leaves behind a political record that stretches from the era of the old Gongola State to his leadership of the PDP during the Jonathan presidency.