The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mourned the death of its former National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, describing him as an “irreplaceable loss” to the party and the nation.
Tukur died in his residence in Abuja on Saturday.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP chaired by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed, conveyed its sympathies in a message issued in Abuja on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Jungudo Haruna Mohammed.
The party described the deceased as a distinguished statesman, elder, administrator, businessman and committed member of the PDP, whose remarkable public service career spanned several decades.
According to the statement, Tukur served as Governor of the defunct Gongola State from October to December 1983, before subsequently serving the nation as Minister of Industries and Chief Executive/General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) during the military era.
The PDP also noted his contributions to 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 responsibilities.
Tukur was elected National Chairman of the PDP in 2012 and led the party until his resignation in January 2014.
The party said his tenure came at a significant period in its political history and that of the nation, adding that he brought to the leadership of the PDP “his wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment to public service and democratic development.”
It said Tukur played significant roles in the affairs and development of the party, while recognising his contributions to democratic governance and the development of Nigeria.
“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,” the statement said.
The party described his death as “a profound loss to the nation,” given his decades of service and contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.
The PDP extended its condolences to Tukur’s family, relatives, friends, associates, the people of Adamawa State and the entire PDP family across the country.
On its part, the Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the PDP led by Dr Tanimu Turaki, recalled that Tukur never lost faith in the party as the only umbrella that could provide solutions to Nigeria’s myriads of challenges.
It also said Tukur shaped policies and projects in key sectors of the country that had remained endearing.
“In his lifetime, Alhaji Tukur played prominent roles in shaping policies and projects in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly ports administration, international trade and industries.
“He was a man of many parts whose political profile was as rich as his professional record. He served as Governor of the old Gongola State, in addition to holding several other high-ranking political and public offices”, the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV