Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the death of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, describing the late elder statesman as a patriot, bridge-builder and colossus of public service.
Obasanjo expressed his condolences in a tribute titled “Tribute to a Colossus of Public Service and Industrial Development: Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.” The statement was released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
The former president said Tukur’s death represented a significant loss to Nigeria, recalling their longstanding relationship and his contributions to governance, business and politics.
Obasanjo said Tukur’s life demonstrated “patriotism, unwavering commitment, and stellar public service,” noting that his career reflected a strong sense of duty to Nigeria.
He highlighted Tukur’s service as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, civilian governor of the defunct Gongola State and Minister of Industries. According to Obasanjo, the late politician consistently focused on national productivity and economic progress.
The former president also recalled Tukur’s leadership of the PDP, acknowledging that their political engagements sometimes involved disagreements over the direction of the party and the country. Despite those differences, Obasanjo said he never doubted Tukur’s commitment to Nigeria.
Beyond domestic politics, Obasanjo praised Tukur’s role as chairman of the African Business Roundtable, describing his leadership as evidence of his commitment to economic independence and stronger African integration.
Tukur’s death has prompted tributes from political leaders, business figures and other prominent Nigerians, reflecting the breadth of his involvement in the country’s public and private sectors.
The former Gongola State governor and ex-PDP chairman died at the age of 91. His political career included leading the PDP from 2012 until his resignation in 2014, during a period marked by significant internal disagreements within the party.
Obasanjo’s tribute adds to the growing recognition of Tukur’s decades of service and underscores the late politician’s influence on Nigeria’s political, economic and institutional development.
