Adebayo mourns Tukur, recalls business partnership

By Dayo Johnson AKURE — The 2027 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has mourned the death of former governor of old Gongola State and former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur. Adebayo described Tukur, who died at 90, as an accomplished statesman whose contributions to Nigeria and Africa spanned public administration, business, politics and continental economic cooperation. In a condolence message on Saturday, Adebayo said he received news of Tukur’s death with “deep sadness,” describing him as a distinguished administrator, businessman and elder statesman whose contributions would remain part of Nigeria’s history. “Alhaji Bamanga Tukur dedicated many years of his life to the service of Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Adebayo also recalled his personal and professional relationship with the late politician, saying their engagements extended beyond politics to investments, maritime development and activities associated with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). According to him, he had the privilege of working with Tukur on investments in Adamawa State, the promotion of indigenous participation in the shipping industry and the implementation of NEPAD initiatives under Tukur’s leadership. “Personally, I have had the privilege of working with this true and illustrious Nigerian personage in terms of my investments in his beloved state of Adamawa, in the area of promotion of indigenous shipping, and in the implementation of the mandate of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), under his leadership,” Adebayo said. Tukur was elected governor of Gongola State in 1983 and subsequently held several senior positions in government and the private sector before emerging as…