TUKUR AT 78: The Life Of An Embattled PDP National Chairman

[Shola Sholaz]

This is the story of how the National Chairman of People's Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who operates from the Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, carry out his activities daily, with a cursory look at his actions after the August 31 Special National Convention of the party where the former Vice President  Atiku Abubakar, who hails from the state with him, stormed out alongside six governors and later formed a 'New PDP'. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who hails from Adamawa State, North-east, was born  on September, 15, 1935.
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He was governor of old Gongola State between October 1983 and December 1983.  He also served as Minister for Industries and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA before his election as PDP National Chairman, March 24, 2012. Tukur, Tafidan Adamawa, was  also the Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
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Before the March 24, 2012  PDP National. Convention where he emerged for the plum  office, zoned to the North-east, there were aspirants like Professor Rufai Alkali; the former Acting National Secretary, Dr. Musa Babayo; Gambo Lawan; Ibrahim Shehu Birma; former Bauchi State governor, Adamu Muazu; among others, who came out very strongly, but  were forced to step down.
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Since he became the National Chairman,  however, it has not been rosy for  Tukur, especially with the stiff opposition he faced from the governors, some stakeholders and leaders of the party to the National Working Committee (NWC), led by him.