Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, was buried in Yola, Adamawa State, on Sunday, as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, businessman Aliko Dangote, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and other dignitaries gathered to honour the late elder statesman.
Tukur, who died on Saturday in Abuja at the age of 90, was laid to rest at his private residence in Yola following a Janazah prayer led by Islamic clerics.
The burial attracted thousands of mourners, with Christian and Muslim faithful turning out across the Adamawa State capital to pay their final respects. Business activities were temporarily disrupted as residents joined the procession and funeral rites.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur would have celebrated his 91st birthday three days after his death.
The late politician and businessman held several prominent positions during his lifetime, including Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, Minister of Commerce and Tourism, Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and National Chairman of the PDP from 2012 to 2014.
Governor Fintiri led the state delegation to the burial, accompanied by members of the State Executive Council, National and State Assembly members, and other prominent PDP stakeholders.
Among those who attended were former Adamawa State Governor Muhammadu Bindow; the Lamido of Adamawa, Barkindo Mustapha; the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Ahmed Galadima; the All Progressives Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Abdulrahman Haske; and other dignitaries.
In his tribute, former President Obasanjo described Tukur as a long-time associate and patriot whose life reflected a deep commitment to Nigeria and public service.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Sunday, Obasanjo said Tukur carried himself throughout his life with “an unmistakable sense of duty.”
“With his passing, Nigeria has lost a colossus and a bridge-builder. He has run his race, made his mark, and left an indelible footprint in the history of our republic,” Obasanjo said.
Dangote, who attended the Janazah prayer, described the deceased as a pioneer of private enterprise in Northern Nigeria and a major contributor to business development and job creation.
“He was an engineer in private industry, in job creation, in building Nigeria. He opened doors for many of us in business,” Dangote said.
Governor Fintiri also mourned Tukur, describing him as a father, mentor, and builder of men whose contributions would remain significant to Adamawa and Nigeria.
The funeral brought together political leaders, businessmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and residents, reflecting the wide network of relationships Tukur built during his decades of public and private service.
