PDP, David Mark mourn Bamanga Tukur, hail decades of service

The Peoples Democratic Party and the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, have mourned the death of former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, describing his death as a great loss to Nigeria.

Tukur, who died on Saturday at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness, served as Governor of the old Gongola State, Minister of Industries and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority before later becoming National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2012.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, on Saturday, the PDP described Tukur as a distinguished public servant whose decades of service contributed to Nigeria’s political, economic and democratic development.

The party said Tukur was a towering figure whose remarkable public service career spanned several decades, adding that his tenure as National Chairman came at a significant period in the political history of the party and the nation.

The PDP stated, “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.”

Similarly, Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, described Tukur as an elder statesman whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.

Mark said Tukur’s wisdom, experience and counsel would be greatly missed, particularly at a time when the country needs the contributions of its older generation of leaders.

The statement read, “The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, said Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a prominent figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.

“According to him, Tukur’s public service record, including his tenure as Governor of the old Gongola State, his service as Minister of Industries and his later leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reflected a life devoted to the service of the nation.

“Senator Mark noted that the deceased was also an accomplished businessman and international figure whose contributions extended beyond partisan politics to national development and institution-building.

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians who devoted their lives to the service of the country. His journey through public service, business and politics was remarkable, and his counsel and experience will be greatly missed.

“His death is not only a loss to his family and the people of Adamawa State, but also to Nigeria as a whole. At this difficult moment, we must remember and celebrate the values of service, patriotism and national unity that characterised his long public career.”

Mark commiserated with the Tukur family, the government and people of Adamawa State, and the deceased’s associates and political colleagues, praying to Allah to grant him eternal rest and give the family the strength to bear the loss.