National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
In a statement on Saturday in Abuja by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the national chairman, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described the death of the elder statesman as a great loss to Nigeria.
Mark noted that Tukur died at a time when the country needed the wisdom, experience and counsel of its older generation of leaders.
He described the former Governor of old Gongola State as a prominent figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.
According to him, Tukur’s public service record, including his tenure as governor, his service as Minister of Industries and his later leadership of PDP, reflected a life devoted to the service of the nation.
Mark noted that the deceased was also an accomplished businessman and international figure whose contributions extended beyond partisan politics to national development and institution-building.
“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians who devoted their lives to the service of the country.
“His journey through public service, business and politics was remarkable, and his counsel and experience will be greatly missed.
“His death is not only a loss to his family and the people of Adamawa State, but also to Nigeria as a whole.
“At this difficult moment, we must remember and celebrate the values of service, patriotism and national unity that characterised his long public career,” the former Senate President said.
He commiserated with the Tukur family, the government and people of Adamawa as well as associates and political colleagues of the deceased.
The ADC national chairman prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
