Former PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur quits politics

Former National Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Bamanga Tukur,
has retired from partisan politics.
Tukur announced the decision on Thursday at
the BMT African Garden, Abuja, in his address at
a lecture entitled : “ Enhancing Capacity
Development For a Sustainable Regional
Integration In Africa: Making The Dream a
Reality” as part of activities marking his 80th
birthday.
In the address entitled: “The Historical
Background And Realities of My Earthly
Sojourn, So Far”, Tukur said, “I deem it fit to
use this opportunity of my 80th birthday
celebration to announce my retirement from
partisan politics’’.
“ It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I
have used several political platforms to serve
my country. It is time to rest,” he said.
The former PDP National Chairman, said he was
leaving partisan politics for the younger
generation, and that he wanted to be a
statesman and an Adviser.
“At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear
nation more in the capacity of a statesman and
father figure,” he said.
He, however, said his doors were open to all
politicians, business men, business women, “and
all Nigerians who may seek my advice or
opinion on any issue affecting our country or
beyond’’.
Amb. Tukur enjoined politicians to “play the
game according to the rules” and to put the
interest of the nation at heart.
In his lecture, Dr Toga McIntosh, Vice President,
ECOWAS Commission, said over the last two
decades or so, the socio-economic gap between
the developed region and Africa had
“progressively widened”.
McIntosh identified weaknesses in effective
planning, developing and utilising requisite
African capacities, and “ our uncoordinated
approach to push from within, in a concerted
way” among the factors responsible for the
situation.