Eniola Yekini
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Tuesday paid condolence visits to the family of the late former National Chairman, of the party Alh. (Dr.) Bamanga Tukur, at the Tukur Lodge, Yola.
The PDP in a press release on it’s official handle stated that the party also extended the same visits to the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, at the Lamido’s Palace; and the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, at the Governor’s Office, Yola.
The Chairman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN in his condolence message said:
“According to the Quran, every person who lives will die and go to the great beyond. So, Baba Tukur has gone the way of all mortals. We do not mourn his death because all humans will die, but we are pained by the loss of his presence and the concomitant virtues he graciously exuded all through his life, in both private and public engagements.
“Our visit is in recognition of the great legacy he left, not just in Adamawa, old Gongola and Northern Nigeria, but also the impressionable footprints he left on the Nigerian business and political landscape.
“As a party, we are deeply pained by his loss, and we are determined, now more than before, to ensure that the PDP, of which the late icon was one of its founding fathers, remains true to its ideals and is not diluted or compromised.”
In his response, Hon. Awwal Tukur, son of the late party chairman and the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, welcomed the party delegation and expressed his appreciation for the visit.
He said “I welcome you to our home, and I thank you for taking the trouble to come for this visit. For Chairman Turaki, this is his home, and I have known him as a brother. Apart from being the National Chairman, you have been a son of Baba, which is why I have called you my elder brother for over three decades.
“Baba took you as a son, and you took him as a father. Today, he is gone, but his legacy lives on. He elegantly bestrode the professional, social, economic and administrative spaces, leaving a great impact in his wake.
“I am happy that, despite all the troubles, the PDP still remains the only legacy party in this country. I say so with pride, knowing the efforts and resources expended, and the risks undertaken, to birth the party.
“I had a first-hand experience, since my late father was one of the founding fathers of the party. I am sure that, even in death, Baba will be happy to see that his party came to pay him a visit.”
At the Government House, while receiving the party delegation, the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Ahmadu Fintiri, appreciated the leadership of the party for the visit.
He said “Your visit to Adamawa today to offer your condolences is one which I, on behalf of the government and people of Adamawa State, appreciate greatly. We have lost a father and a shining light, but we trust that Allah (SWT) will grant him Aljannah Firdausi and comfort all of us who are grieving.”
At the palace of the Lamido, the entourage, led by Turaki, was received by the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, who welcomed and appreciated the leadership of the party for coming to the palace to pay its condolences.
The Lamido described the deceased, Alh. (Dr.) Bamanga Tukur, who held the prestigious traditional title of Tafidan Adamawa, as a very respected son who brought honour, respect and recognition to the kingdom.
He said his death was a huge loss, the impact of which would linger for a long time. He prayed for Allah to forgive the sins of the deceased and grant him Aljannah Firdausi.