Bamanga Tukur, Former PDP National Chairman, Dies at 91

Former Gongola State Governor and ex-Industries Minister died in Abuja on Saturday, family confirms

 Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, has died at the age of 91.

Tukur died in Abuja on Saturday, September 12, 2026, according to a family member who confirmed his death to BBC Hausa. The family did not disclose further details about the illness preceding his death.

Born on September 15, 1935, in what is now Adamawa State, Tukur was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman and public administrator whose career spanned several decades.

He served as Governor of the former Gongola State during the Second Republic in 1983, before the military coup of December that year brought the civilian administration to an end. Gongola State was later divided into present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.

Tukur also served as General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982, a period during which he was involved in efforts to address port congestion and improve Nigeria's maritime infrastructure.

During the military administration of General Sani Abacha, he served as Minister of Industries from 1993 to 1995. Beyond public service, Tukur was involved in business and continental economic initiatives, including the Africa Business Roundtable and the NEPAD Business Group.

In March 2012, he was elected National Chairman of the PDP, a position he held until January 2014, when he stepped down amid internal challenges within the party.

Tukur was also a recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and held the traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa. He was also associated with the traditional title of Wakilin Ganye.

He obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Benue State University.

His death comes three days before his 91st birthday, which would have been on September 15.

Tukur's death marks the passing of one of Nigeria's prominent political and business figures, whose career included senior roles in government, party politics, maritime administration and private enterprise.

May his soul rest in peace.Five alternative professional headlines