Bamanga Tukur: Nigeria lost an icon, peacebuilder – Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has described the late Peoples Democratic Party national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, as an icon and peacebuilder, not only in the northern region but across Nigeria and beyond.

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The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was in Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday, to condole with the family of the late Tukur at his private residence.

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The President described Tukur’s death as a sad loss to the entire country because he served humanity, while he also called for celebration because of his age and the enduring legacies he left behind.

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“The death of Bamanga Tukur is a big celebration. Dying at the age of 91 is something that we are supposed to thank Allah for, for giving our father a long life,” he said.

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Governor Ahmadu Fintiri received the Vice President at the Yola International Airport and accompanied him to Tukur’s private residence.

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Welcoming Shettima and his entourage, Alhaji Awwal Tukur thanked the President for sending the Vice President to condole with the family over the death of their father.

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He said the President demonstrated his fatherly leadership qualities by recognising every Nigerian as important as his family.

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“My late father was born into a family of 26, 13 boys and 13 girls. Out of these, only four remain. His immediate younger brother is now the head of the family.

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“My father married two wives and had 18 children. I’m the second son in the family. We are six boys and 12 girls, and all of us are alive,” he said.

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Tukur died last Saturday in Abuja and was buried at his private residence in Yola on Sunday.

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