Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Ex-Governor and PDP Chairman, Dies

Alhaji Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, who served as the governor of old Gongola State and was the ex-national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), died on September 12, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on September 15, 1935, in present-day Adamawa State, Tukur's career began at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he was General Manager and Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982.

His tenure focused on expanding port capacity during a time of significant congestion. Tukur entered politics, winning the 1983 governorship election in Gongola State as a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), but his term was cut short by a military coup just three months later.

After the coup, he transitioned to the private sector, becoming a prominent business figure associated with BHI Holdings and the DADDO group. He also held leadership roles in various continental business organizations, including President of the Africa Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.