Tukur Bows out of Politics; urges support for Buhari

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has quit active partisan politics.

At a special birthday lecture organised to mark his attainment of 80 years in Abuja, Tukur urged Nigerians to support the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that dividends of democracy trickles down to the common man.

In the same vein, the Adamawa-born politician also had kind words for former President Goodluck Jonathan, crediting him with efforts at fashioning credible electoral system and for his statesman-like concession of victory at the last presidential election.

Incongruously, the  leadership of the PDP, which was expected to use the occasion to felicitate their former boss, failed to show-up as Tukur bowed out of partisan politics on Monday.

Though PDP was not represented at the ceremony,  the party later  issued a statement describing the former chairman as a quintessential democrat and humble statesman, who has contributed immensely to the development and stability of the nation.

Addressing the large audience that turned out for the lecture, the octogenarian said he was retiring from partisan politics to assume the role of statesman, dedicating the rest of his life to service and offering advice to the younger generation.

“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. I leave partisan politics for the younger generation. I want 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.

Speaking on his experiences in politics, particularly his tenure as the PDP chairman, Tukur said he worked hard to entrench internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy.

He enjoined politicians to see politics and government positions as avenues for rendering service to the country and not a bread and butter affair, adding that elected officers and government officials should regard their positions as sacred trust to be used to serve the nation.

“I wish to enjoin politicians to play the game according to the rules and to take the interest of the country to heart.”

“I had the privilege of serving as the national chairman of the party during, which I tried to introduce sanity in the party affairs. I introduced the idea of internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy. These are the great ingredients of strong party systems, which ultimately drive the democratic process.

“Perhaps, on account of the long period of military reign in Nigeria, Nigerian politicians have not yet internalised and applied the principle of internal party democracy. I hope that with time, party democracy will be entrenched in our political party  system as this strengthens our nascent democracy.

“Politicians should avail themselves of their constitutional right to assemble with anybody or political party.”

“But the need to checkmate frequency of defections from one political party to the other can hardly be over- stressed. Political parties are stronger when members submit themselves to the rules and regulations of the party and subscribe faithfully to it ideologies.”

“Our political parties should strive to have concrete ideologies as this will certainly help to curtail unmitigated defections in the system for a strong party breeds a strong government. A strong government breeds strong economy. A strong economy brings development, peace and security.”

While delivering lecture at the occasion, the Vice-President  of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh canvassed for the establishment of an African Graduate University of Development Studies to be named after Bamanga Tukur in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the economic development of the continent.

The party in a birthday message to Tukur yesterday, said: “It remains proud that the octogenarian, who is one of its founding fathers, has made indelible marks in business and politics within and outside the country.”

The birthday message signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the party remains grateful to Tukur for his leadership roles and sustained selfless contributions since its formation.”