Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has died at the age of 90.
Tukur reportedly died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with reports of his passing emerging from family sources.
The late politician was a towering figure in Nigeria’s political and business circles, having held several prominent positions in both the public and private sectors during a career spanning decades.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur served as governor of the old Gongola State in 1983 before later becoming Minister of Industries during the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
He also served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and was involved in several major business and development initiatives within Nigeria and across Africa.
Tukur rose to national political prominence in March 2012 when he emerged as National Chairman of the PDP, then Nigeria’s ruling party.
His tenure, however, coincided with a turbulent period within the party, characterised by growing divisions among its leaders, governors and prominent members.
The crisis intensified in 2013 following the emergence of a breakaway faction led by several governors and prominent PDP figures, eventually putting pressure on Tukur’s leadership.
He resigned as PDP National Chairman in January 2014 amid the escalating internal crisis.
Despite his departure from the party’s leadership, Tukur remained an influential figure in Nigerian political and business circles.
His death marks the end of the life of one of the country’s prominent political figures whose career straddled military and civilian administrations.
He is survived by his family.
